Preview: Jannik Sinner vs Alexei Popyrin prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head | Qatar Open 2026
Sinner posted a straight set win on Doha debut.
Jannik Sinner, the World No. 2, made an emphatic start to his 2026 Qatar Open campaign. Making his debut in Doha, the Italian rolled past his Czech rival, 6-1, 6-4 in just 70 minutes.
Victory over Machac saw Sinner extend his winning streak at the ATP 500 level to 11 matches and set up a second-round match against Australian Alexei Popyrin.
It was Sinner’s third straight victory over Machac. This was their first meeting in two years, and like the previous two, came in straight sets. The Italian won 35 of 41 points on his serve and now has won 21 of his last 22 matches.
Alexei Popyrin moved into round two with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Qatari wildcard Mubarak Shannan Zayid. Popyrin defeated Zayed to end his 10-match losing streak, with the last win coming at the 2025 US Open.
Popyrin had no trouble on court, taking just 58 minutes to eliminate Zayid from contention and set up a third tour-level face-off with Sinner. The Australian held serve for all seven of his service games, winning 23 of 27 first-serve points and striking 16 winners en route to his opening round victory.
Match details
- Tournament: Qatar Open 2026
- Round: Second Round
- Date: February 18
- Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
- Surface: Hard
Also Read: Jannik Sinner’s projected path to ATP Qatar Open 2026 final
Preview
Sinner heads into his second-round match with Popyrin tied at 1-1. Both men have had a contrasting start to the 2026 season. The Italian made the semi-finals in Melbourne but fell to Novak Djokovic in the last four. Popyrin registered his first win of 2026 against an unranked Mubarak Shannan Zayid following four straight losses.
The 26-year-old Australian is chasing an elusive title, looking to end his title drought of more than a year. Popyrin is coming off a lacklustre 2025 season. His last title run was in 2024 when he won the ATP Masters 1000 Canada.
Sinner enjoyed a productive 2025, winning six titles from ten finals, including majors at Melbourne and Wimbledon. The Italian will look to bounce back from his semi-final defeat Down Under with a deep run in Doha.
Form
- Jannik Sinner: W-L-W-W-W
- Alexei Popyrin: W-L-L-L-L
Head-to-head record
- Matches: 2
- Jannik Sinner: 1
- Alexei Popyrin: 1
Stats
Jannik Sinner
- Sinner has a 6-1 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Sinner is making his debut at the Qatar Open
- Sinner has won 81% of matches played on hard courts
Alexei Popyrin
- Popyrin has a 1-4 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Popyrin has a 4-2 win-loss record at the Qatar Open
- Popyrin has won 44% of matches played on hard courts
Jannik Sinner vs Alexei Popyrin: Betting tips and odds
- Moneyline: Sinner: -2500, Popyrin +1200
- Spread: Sinner -6 (-125), Popyrin +6.5 (-138)
- Total Games: Over 18.5 (-112), Under 18.5 (-109)
Match prediction
With their head-to-head even, Sinner and Popyrin brace themselves for their ATP Tour meeting. Both players will look to continue their winning ways after scoring straight set wins in their opening round matches.
Their rivalry spread over five years, saw Popyrin take the lead when he defeated Sinner in Madrid in 2021. Sinner had to wait until 2025 to settle the score, which he did by defeating Popyrin in New York in the second round of the US Open.
While Popyrin has the ability to test and push higher-ranked players, his recent lack of form points to another clinical victory by the Italian. Popyrin relies on big serve to get through and may find his game lacking against Sinner’s all-round game.
The potential for a close match exists, but Sinner will find himself in the third round without much ado.
Result: Jannik Sinner to win in straight sets.
Where and how to watch live telecast and live streaming of Jannik Sinner vs Alexei Popyrin, second-round match at Qatar Open 2026?
The second-round clash between Jannik Sinner and Alexei Popyrin will stream live on Fancode for Indian viewers. Residents of the United States can tune in to the Tennis Channel. Fans in the United Kingdom can stream the match on Sky Sports.
Where and when will Jannik Sinner vs Alexei Popyrin second-round match at Qatar Open 2026 take place?
The match will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on February 18 (Wednesday). Match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm local time and 10 pm in India.
What is the head-to-head record between Jannik Sinner and Alexei Popyrin?
Both players have clashed only twice previously, with both meetings coming four years apart. They share the spoils with a win each.
What happened in the most recent meeting between Jannik Sinner and Alexei Popyrin?
Their most recent meeting was at last year’s US Open. Sinner won that second-round meeting in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
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Meet Fazeel—a bibliophile and sci-fi aficionado who devours books and movies alike. His favorite form of exercise? Watching tennis from a perfectly positioned couch. Whether he's lost in a gripping novel or absorbed in a five-hour Grand Slam final, he's all in. Favorite quote: “You cannot be serious” – John McEnroe.