TennisSection previews the 2022 Qatar Open as David Goffin takes on Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022.
David Goffin is looking to get his season up and running at the Qatar Open. But the Belgian’s path begins with a tough first-round match against Pune finalist Emil Ruusuvuori. It is unclear whether Goffin is completely healed from his knee injury which ended his 2021 season in August.
David Goffin has one win in his last five matches, hardly an optimistic stat. The Belgian’s powers are waning, unless he can find his form by winning matches regularly, Goffin could cascade further down the rankings. His failure to defend his Montpellier crown at the start of February saw him lose his Top 50 ranking for the first time in eight years. Last week’s humiliating defeat to Alex De Minaur in Rotterdam was another low point in a very challenging start to 2022. Goffin, miraculously, re-entered the Top 50 after that loss, thanks in part to his closest opponents falling early last week. Goffin returns to the Qatar Open for the fourth time, but his record is far from convincing. He’s won two main draw matches in his last three visits.
Emil Ruusuvuori, in contrast, has enjoyed a major breakthrough on the ATP scene. The hard-hitting Finn, reached his first ATP final in Pune, and was slightly unlucky not to walk away from India with his maiden title. But I don’t expect Ruusuvuori to be too down on himself. He is already 7-3 for the year – an amazing return for a player who has only played three events. He famously produced one heck of an effort at the Australian Open where he nearly upset Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round.
David Goffin and Emil Ruusuvuori have not crossed paths on the ATP Tour. Monday’s match at the Qatar Open will be their first official meeting. Goffin’s slump has been caused by his injury issues. He is not as mobile as he was a few years ago. Ruusuvuori is tough first-rounder for the Belgian in his bid to get his season back on track. And at this moment I am not entirely confident Goffin will find his form this week.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets.
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