ATP Doha: Sinner Faces Machac in Qatar Return

Published on 02/16/2026 01:54 by Jérémy Ernou | Modified on 02/16/2026 01:55

Three weeks after his semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner returns to the court at the ATP 500 tournament in Doha this Monday evening. The world number 2 enters Qatar as the favorite and aims to prepare for the upcoming Masters 1000 events in the United States (Indian Wells and Miami). Despite the disappointment of losing in Australia, Sinner must focus on the remainder of the season and the series of major events ahead.

Sinner is making his return to Doha after being absent last season due to suspension, and he intends to add the Qatari tournament to his list of achievements.

Machac’s Return After Injury

Tomas Machac enjoyed a strong start to the season with a victory in Adelaide and a third-round appearance at the Australian Open, but recently faced a setback in Montpellier. He was forced to withdraw from his match against Frenchman Arthur Gea due to a knee injury. Two weeks after this withdrawal, the world number 31 resumes competition in Doha.

The draw presents a challenging match for Machac, as he will face the world number 2. While Machac has little to lose, the encounter may come too soon for a player who has historically struggled with physical issues.