Denis Shapovalov vs Alex Molcan Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Qatar Open

Prediction published on 15/02/2022, 08:36  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/02/2022 at 10:00 in Tennis Predictions

Top seeded Denis Shapovaov is up against Alex Molcan in the Doha tournament second round. Shapovalov is ranked 12th in the world, a rise of two places since the year began. He began the year by being a member of the Canadian team that won the ATP Cup. He lost his first match against Dan Evans but then won his next three. Shapovalov continued his good form in the Australian Open. He beat Alexander Zverev on his way to the last eight but then lost to eventual champion Rafa Nadal but took the Spaniard to five sets. Last week didn't go so well though, losing to Jiri Lehecka in the last 32. That was tougher than it looked as the then world number 137 made it to the semi-finals before losing in three sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Alex Molcan is the world number 73 and that's a rise of 15 places since the start of this year. He's up to 67th in the live rankings after beating Chris O'Connell in three tight sets. He lost the first set on a tie-break, won the second in the same fashion and then took the match 6-4 in the final set. Molcan began this year with a quarter final in Melbourne, beating the out-of-form David Goffin but losing to Emil Ruusuvouri. Since then, he's lost in the second round of the Australian Open and in the first round in Montpellier to Damir Dzumhur, who was ranked 152nd at the time. Back Shapovalov to win this and make the quarter finals.