Rublev clear favouritie against de Jong at Qatar ExxonMobil Open Round 32 match

🎾 Match Preview

Jesper de Jong vs Andrey Rublev [5]

Round of 32 —
📍 Doha | Outdoor Hard Courts
🕕 Not before 18:00 local time (Center Court)
📅 Tuesday, February 17, 2026

🔍 Overview

Fifth seed Andrey Rublev opens his Doha title defense against Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in a classic favorite-vs-underdog encounter on Center Court.

Rublev enters as the clear favorite, boasting 17 career ATP titles and a solid 4–2 record so far in 2026. He’s also the defending champion in Doha and will look to impose his trademark power from the baseline early in the match.

De Jong, currently ranked No. 86, is still searching for momentum this season (1–5 YTD) but has everything to gain in this spotlight matchup. The Dutchman will aim to disrupt Rublev’s rhythm with variety and court coverage while playing freely as the underdog.

📊 Head-to-Head

• Rublev leads 1–0
• Only meeting: April 2025 (Barcelona, clay) — Rublev won 6–1, 6–3

📈 By the Numbers

🔑 Keys to the Match

De Jong must:

• Extend rallies and avoid quick points
• Target Rublev’s movement with depth and angles
• Take risks on return games to apply early pressure

Rublev will look to:

• Dictate with his forehand from the first ball
• Keep points short on serve
• Use his experience on hard courts to control tempo

🏁 Outlook

Rublev’s firepower and Doha pedigree make him the heavy favorite, but if De Jong can absorb pace and capitalize on any early nerves, he’ll try to turn this into a physical battle. Expect Rublev to push for a fast start as he begins his 2026 Qatar campaign.