Rematch in sight!

Khachanov changes the scene to reverse the momentum against Munar

This match has the feel of a revenge story. Karen Khachanov meets Jaume Munar again just a few days after their clash in ATP Rotterdam, which the Spaniard won at the end of a very tight match. It was a long, physical battle where Khachanov wasn’t at his best but still showed some interesting patches of play before giving way at the key moments.

The context is quite different this time. After the indoor tournament in Rotterdam, Khachanov will benefit from one, or even two full extra days of preparation to adapt to the outdoor conditions in ATP Doha. That’s far from a trivial detail for a player who needs references, rhythm, and feel in order to fully express his power and shot quality.

All the more so because the Russian has already proven he can perform extremely well here. He won the tournament in 2024, which gives him very clear reference points regarding the conditions, ball trajectories, and the way to construct his points in Doha. By contrast, Munar will be playing this tournament for the very first time. Even if he comes in with the confidence from his recent win, adapting to a new environment is still a parameter that has to be taken into account.

Khachanov is a player who often raises his level as matches go by. He needs court time, to string matches together to regain consistency, and this new showdown comes at an interesting moment for him. With more rhythm, a surface more suited to his aggressive game, and a context he knows well, he seems capable of showing a more complete version of himself than in their previous encounter.

In these conditions, the Russian appears to be the logical favorite in this matchup. Munar will remain competitive, solid, and tenacious, but the change of surface, Khachanov’s experience in Doha, and his expected improvement in his level of play suggest that he has a real opportunity to take his revenge and come out on top this time in Qatar.