Qatar Open 2022: Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech preview, head-to-head and prediction
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech.
Date: 17 February 2022.
Tournament: Qatar Open 2022.
Round: Quarterfinals.
Venue: Doha, Qatar.
Category: ATP 250.
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: $1,176,595.
Match timing: Not before 6 pm local time, 3 pm GMT, 8.30 pm IST.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN | India - Tennis TV.
Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech preview
Top seed Denis Shapovalov will take on Arthur Rinderknech in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open on Thursday.
The Canadian had a very good start to the year as he was instrumental in his nation winning the ATP Cup. Shapovalov won three out of his four singles matches during the tournament.
The 22-year-old started the Australian Open by surviving scares against Laslo Djere and Kwon Soon-woo. He beat Reilly Opelka in the third round before seeing off World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.
Shapovalov faced Rafael Nadal in the last eight and put up a tough fight against the Spaniard before losing in five sets.
He then competed at the Rotterdam Open as the fifth seed but was eliminated in the first round after losing to eventual semifinalist Jiri Lehecka in straight sets.
The Canadian then traveled to Qatar and began his campaign by thrashing Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-0 to seal his place in the quarterfinals.
In the zone 👌
@denis_shapo plays a flawless match to take out Molcan 6-4 6-0 in just 52 minutes https://t.co/ECjL7Tz6Ow
Rinder perfe !
Arthur Rinderknech s'offre le vainqueur de Montpellier Alexander Bublik 6-7 6-1 6-4 pour avancer en 1/4 Ã Doha ! https://t.co/e4JEdovKWn
Arthur Rinderknech also started his season at the ATP Cup, representing France. He won just one out of his three singles matches. He followed this up by reaching the final of the Adelaide International, where he lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Frenchman also reached the second round of the Australian Open after beating Alexei Popyrin in five sets. However, he pulled out of his match against Dan Evans due to a wrist injury.
Rinderknech withdrew from the Rotterdam Open but returned to compete at the Qatar Open. He was drawn against seventh seed Alexander Bublik in the second round and beat the Kazakh 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 to book his place in the quarterfinals.
Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech head-to-head
Thursday's match in Doha will be the second meeting between the two players. They last met in the quarterfinals of last year's Stockholm Open and Shapovalov came back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech prediction
Shapovalov will be the favorite entering the match but Rinderknech should not be written off given his serve and firepower.
Barring his early exit at the Rotterdam Open, the Canadian has a pretty good record this year. He has picked up victories in eight out of 11 matches so far, all of which have come on hardcourts.
Both players are big servers, so there will not be too many breaks of serve in this match. Shapovalov's second serve can be a bit problematic; the 22-year-old served a number of double faults in his match against Molcan and will have to keep that in check.
Rinderknech, on the other hand, will look to trouble Shapovalov with his powerful forehand and keep the Canadian on the move.
While the Frenchman could run Shapovalov close, the Canadian should be able to eke out a win and advance to the semifinals.
Prediction: Denis Shapovalov to win in three sets.