Doha 2021: Norbert Gombos vs Malek Jaziri preview, head-to-head & prediction | Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Match details

Fixture: Norbert Gombos vs Malek Jaziri

Date: 9 March 2021

Tournament: Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021

Round: First Round (Round of 32)

Venue: Doha, Qatar

Category: ATP 250

Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Prize money: $787,930

Match timing: Approx. 4.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | India - Eurosport

Norbert Gombos vs Malek Jaziri preview

Norbert Gombos

World No. 26 Borna Coric was originally supposed to take on Tunisia's Malek Jaziri in the first round of the Qatar Open. But the Croat has now withdrawn from the event, and been replaced by lucky loser Norbert Gombos.

Gombos hasn't spent much time on the main tour over the years, having competed mostly on the ATP Challenger circuit. The World No. 95 last won a title at Winnipeg in 2019.

With Coric's withdrawal from the tournament, Roger Federer is now the only seed left in this quarter.

World No. 261 Malek Jaziri, meanwhile, has not enjoyed too many good results on the tour lately. His best recent result came in 2018, when he finished as the runner-up to Japan's Taro Daniel at the Istanbul Open.

Norbert Gombos vs Malek Jaziri head-to-head

Norbert Gombos and Malek Jaziri have never met on the ATP tour, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0. That said, Gombos did get the better of Jaziri in the qualifying rounds of the 2015 Monte Carlo Masters.

Norbert Gombos vs Malek Jaziri prediction

Malek Jaziri hits a forehand

Norbert Gombos has very few weapons at his disposal, but he does possess solid groundstrokes. The World No. 95 will be very happy with his last-minute entry into the Qatar Open, as he had been upset in his qualifying first-round match by Ramkumar Ramanathan.

Malek Jaziri, meanwhile, is a more aggressive player, who constantly looks to dominate rallies with big hits. But that also makes him susceptible to coughing up untimely unforced errors on occasion.

While the Tunisian is a more dynamic player, he has not enjoyed great results in competitive matches over the last couple of years. That, coupled with the fact that Gombos will be coming in with more match practice, might give the Slovak a slight edge in this encounter.

Prediction: Norbert Gombos to win in three sets.