Khachanov Faces Lucky Loser Mochizuki in Doha Opener

The spotlight shifts to an intriguing first-round clash at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open as seventh seed Karen Khachanov takes on Japan’s in-form lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

Khachanov, one of the tournament’s marquee names, enters the contest with expectations firmly on his shoulders. The powerful Russian, known for his heavy baseline game and commanding serve, has consistently been a strong performer on hard courts. As the No. 7 seed, he will look to assert authority early and avoid any first-round complications in the ATP 500 event held in Doha.

Mochizuki, meanwhile, has nothing to lose. The 21-year-old Japanese player earned his place in the main draw as a lucky loser but brings confidence and fearless shot-making into the encounter. His quick footwork and aggressive return game could test Khachanov if he manages to dictate rallies and keep points short.

The pair have met once before — at Wimbledon — where Khachanov edged a five-set battle, underlining Mochizuki’s ability to push higher-ranked opponents to the limit. That previous encounter adds an extra layer of intrigue to their Doha showdown.

For Khachanov, the key will be first-serve efficiency and maintaining depth off both wings to prevent Mochizuki from stepping inside the baseline. For the Japanese youngster, early aggression and scoreboard pressure could be vital if he hopes to spring an upset.

With Doha’s quick hard courts rewarding bold play, fans can expect an entertaining battle between experience and youthful ambition as the tournament’s opening round unfolds.

Shintaro Mochizuki and Karen Khachanov are scheduled to face each other today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the opening round (Round of 32) of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

Match Details

• Tournament: Qatar ExxonMobil Open (ATP 500).
• Round: Round of 32.
• Location: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar.
• Status: Shintaro Mochizuki entered the main draw as a Lucky Loser (LL) following the late withdrawal of Jaume Munar.
• Karen Khachanov enters as the 7th seed for the tournament.

Head-to-Head History

Khachanov leads their head-to-head series 1–0.

• Last Meeting: Second round of Wimbledon 2025. Khachanov won a grueling five-set battle 1-6, 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Player Comparison (Current ATP Rankings)

Mochizuki is searching for his first tour-level main draw win of the season, while Khachanov aims to repeat his success in Doha, where he was previously the champion in 2024.