Following a pair of clutch, extended first-set tiebreaks, KAREN KHACHANOV stood center-stage in Doha lifting Qatar ExxonMobil Open’s coveted falcon for the first time. In the Semi’s, Karen earned set-1 in a nail-biting (12-10) tiebreak over Popyrin. In the Final, he took the first set (14-12) over Mensik. Strong serving, not to mention experience in tight moments on the sport’s biggest stages, propelled him to his 6th career title.
Compared to Mensik, it was a light week for Khachanov. After a first round BYE, he launched his 2024 campaign on Wednesday with a competitive straight-sets win over top Hungarian Fabian Marozsan. Thursday, Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori retired at the first changeover. In the Semifinals, Alexei Popyrin went up a break early – but after the extended tiebreak (then an abdominal-tweek), the Aussie faded down the stretch. By the Final, Karen had spent only 3-hours and 29-minutes on court. His opponent — 8-hours and 26-minutes. Still, Mensik put up a tremendous fight, forcing Karen to earn the falcon.
JAKUB MENSIK. STORY OF THE 2024 QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN.
Like last year – during ANDY MURRAY’s improbable run to his 5th Doha Final – the Finalist’s storyline completely overshadowed the champion’s accomplishment. JAKUB MENSIK is just 18-years-old. As the World #116, he used the ATP NEXTGEN accelerator program to gain entry into Doha’s draw. A wise choice. In just his 3rd Tour-level event, he lit up the court.
In Round-1, he earned his first top-25 victory, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets. Round-2 — in three breathtaking tiebreak sets — he defeated 2-time Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray (the longest match in tournament history). Mensik then earned his first top-5 win, upsetting 2020 Champion Andrey Rublev in the Quarters. In the Semi’s, he scored an emotional, deciding-set triumph over 2018 champion and 4-time Finalist Gael Monfils — unseating Gael as the youngest Finalist in tournament history.
Jakub Mensik is mature beyond his years, both physically and mentally. This week, he proved to himself that his size, strength and talent meet what’s required to excel at the top of the sport. There’s no question, the young Czech has a promising future. This season will likely be reminiscent of Alcaraz and Sinner’s arrival on-scene in 2021.
Voice Artist Andy Taylor | Photo: Marius Borning
BEIN SPORTS | A visit with Safwan Abushanab
JAMIE MURRAY AND MICHAEL VENUS RIGHT THE SHIP.
Before Wednesday, MICHAEL VENUS and JAMIE MURRAY were both winless in 2024. Finally, they posted solid wins this week over Griekspoor/Stevens, Mektic/Koolhof, Pavlasek/Behar, and inspired Italians Sonego/Musetti in the Final. This was Murray’s 2nd Doha and 63rd career Final; his 32nd title. Over the years, he and Bruno Soares got close (2016-SF, 2017-SF, 2018-F). Meanwhile, Michael Venus captured his 22nd career Doubles title, in his Doha Final debut. His only previous run ended in the first round 2-years-ago alongside Ivan Dodig.
While Michael and Jamie put their heads down and went to work, the rest of the field dealt with withdrawals, LORENZO SONEGO and LORENZO MUSETTI included. Following Emil Ruusuvuori’s retirement in the Singles Quarterfinals – the Italians advanced to the Semi’s with a walkover, where they saved match points, defeating alternates John-Patrick Smith and Andreas Mies. Saturday’s title match marked their first Tour-level Doubles Final as a team.
ANDY TAYLOR. 2024 QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN
Since the 2011 Doha Arab Games, Andy Taylor has been a fixture with the QTF. From the Qatar TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil Open – to the Qatar Classic Squash Championship, the PSA Men’s World Championship, World Padel Championship, and Ooredoo Qatar Major.
For over a decade, he has regularly returned to this gleaming city on the Arabian Gulf; working closely with the Qatar Tennis Federation to showcase professional athletes in tennis, squash and Padel. In the sports community, Andy Taylor is known best as the Voice of the US Open; where his sound has anchored the presentation inside New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium for 22 consecutive years.
A versatile host, emcee and Stadium Announcer – with his individual style and delivery, Andy writes and narrates every player’s introduction, celebrating their career accomplishments, providing context for fans before each match. Afterwards, he interviews the victors, providing fans and international broadcasters further insight on each player’s performance and career. Additionally, as a voice talent, Andy narrates video content used in the stadium and at special events throughout the tournament.
For 27-years, Doha was a week-one beacon for the ATP Tour's elite to knock the rust off, and fine-tune their talents for the coming season. Today, the tournament takes place in February, a week following the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. With top-shelf amenities and the Qatar Tennis Federation's determined focus to make every athlete feel at home, Doha offers a relaxed, distraction-free environment to excel on the court. From the facilities to transportation - the professional staff to fan-focused presentation - Qatar offers a tremendous experience for each player between the rigors of the season's first Major and the Sunshine Double in the United States. It's no wonder players have voted the event ATP-250 Tournament of the Year in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Happy to be back as the Voice of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, and excited to make lasting memories with this year's field of tremendous talent.