Doha, Qatar – All eyes are on the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex today as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev face off in the quarterfinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The match, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th, pits the No. 33 ranked Tsitsipas against the No. 14 Rublev, with the latter entering the contest as the clear favorite according to current betting odds.
The stakes are high as both players vie for a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals and a share of the $2,833,335 prize money. Rublev, the defending champion of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, will be looking to continue his winning streak in Doha, although Tsitsipas aims to upset the odds and advance further in the competition. The head-to-head record between the two stands at a tight 6-6, adding another layer of intrigue to this highly anticipated match.
Qatar ExxonMobil Open: Tsitsipas vs. Rublev – The Numbers
BetMGM Sportsbook currently lists Rublev as a -150 favorite, implying a 60.0% probability of victory, while Tsitsipas is at +115. Odds were last updated Thursday at 6:35 AM ET. For a comprehensive list of sports betting odds, visit the USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Looking at recent form on hard courts, Tsitsipas has a 12-9 record over the past 12 months, securing one tournament win. He boasts an 82.8% success rate on his service games and converts 32.3% of his break points (50 of 155). However, his recent performance at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament saw him defeated in the Round of 16 by Botic Van de Zandschulp 4-6, 6-7 on February 12th.
Rublev, meanwhile, has a 21-15 record on hard courts in the last year, claiming one title. He maintains an 81.4% winning percentage on his serve and a 22.8% success rate on return games. Notably, Rublev ranks 17th in break point winning percentage on hard courts, converting 36.6% of his opportunities (96-for-262). His last tournament, the Australian Open, ended with a loss to Francisco Cerundolo in the Round of 32 on January 23rd, with a score of 3-6, 6-7, 3-6.
Head-to-Head History and Recent Performance
This will be the 13th career meeting between Tsitsipas, and Rublev. Their previous encounter, back in 2022 at the Nitto ATP Finals, saw Rublev emerge victorious with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Tennis Tonic predicts Rublev will win in three sets.
Rublev reached the quarterfinals after defeating Jesper De Jong 6-4, 6-3 and Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-4. During his match against Marozsan, Rublev demonstrated aggressive play, scoring 62 points compared to Marozsan’s 43 and blasting 22 winners.
What to Expect on Center Court
The match is scheduled to capture place on Thursday at 3:00 pm on Center Court, as reported by Tennis Tonic. Fans can watch the Quarterfinals live on the Tennis Channel and through streaming services like Fubo. The close head-to-head record suggests a competitive match, but Rublev’s recent form and status as the defending champion position him as the player to watch.
The outcome of this quarterfinal will significantly impact both players’ trajectories in the tournament. As the competition progresses, the remaining rounds promise further exciting matchups and a battle for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title. Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament unfolds.
What are your thoughts on this matchup? Share your predictions in the comments below!
