Qatar Open 2023 Day 4: Men's singles predictions ft. Andy Murray vs Alexandre Muller, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Felix Auger-Aliassime

The fourth day of main draw action at the 2023 Qatar Open in Doha on Thursday (February 23) will feature all four quarterfinals.

On a busy Wednesday, the top three seeds - Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev - advanced to the last eight. However, fourth seed Alexander Zverev was eliminated by Andy Murray. Christopher O'Connell, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alexandre Muller and Jiri Lehecka were the other winners on Wednesday.

Without further ado, here's a look at how the four quarterfinals at the Qatar Open on Thursday could pan out:

#1 Andrey Rublev vs Jiri Lehecka

Top seed Andrey Rublev will lock horns with Jiri Lehecka for a place in the last four at the Qatar Open.

World No. 5 Rublev survived a third-set tiebreak to down Tallon Griekspoor in his opener and improve to 5-4 in the ongoing season. Meanwhile, the 52nd-ranked Lehecka is at an impressive 10-3 this season after winning both his matches this week in straight sets.

Rublev won their lone meeting in Belgrade last year and should repeat the result on Thursday.

Prediction: Rublev in three sets.

#2 Andy Murray (two-time Qatar Open winner) vs Alexandre Muller

Qualifier Alexandre Muller will take on wildcard Andy Murray for a place in the semifinals.

The 170th-ranked Muller emerged from qualifying to win two matches this week to improve to 2-0 for the season. Meanwhile, World No. 70 Murray has survived consecutive three-setters to reach his first quarterfinal of the season, downing Zverev in the second round. He has a record of 4-2 in the ongoing season.

The pair have never met before, but the two-time Qatar Open winner should take this one.

Prediction: Murray in straight sets.

#3 Christopher O'Connell vs Daniil Medvedev

Christopher O'Connell will take on third seed Daniil Medvedev for a place in the semifinals.

The 94th-ranked O'Connell dumped out defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round to improve to 2-3 on the year. Meanwhile, World No. 8 Medvedev - coming off a title run in Rotterdam last week - won his opener against Liam Broady. He's now 11-2 in 2023.

Medvedev won their lone meeting at the 2020 US Open and should have no problems beating O'Connell again.

Prediction: Medvedev in straight sets.

#4 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Felix Auger-Aliassime

In the only all-seeded quarterfinal in Doha, seventh seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will take on second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 31st-ranked Davidovich Fokina is 6-4 in 2023 after winning both his matches this week, while Auger-Aliassime improved to 6-3 after winning his opener. Although the Canadian has taken both previous meetings between the two, Davidovich Fokina could take this one.

Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in three sets.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Arshit Garg