With 11 matches on the slate on day two at the ATP Dubai Championships, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Andrey Rublev vs Dan Evans and Karen Khachanov vs Alex de Minaur. But who will book their place in the second round?
ATP Dubai Day 2 Predictions
Alex Molcan vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: first meeting
This has the makings of a close match. Lloyd Harris is the higher-ranked of the two men, has a better win percentage on hard courts, and enjoyed an incredible run to the finals here last year—but has yet to post a victory this season. Alex Molcan, meanwhile, is a tepid four of eight, with a decent victory over David Goffin, and those eight matches represent about 40% of his total ATP experience. Will Harris to continue his slump, or can the powerful South African galvanize himself in the face of a good opportunity to get on the board? Or will Molcan take advantage of a struggling opponent? Have a little more confidence in Molcan, who has been rising steadily in the rankings, and whilst Harris’ hasn’t won a match since last October.
Prediction: Molcan in 3
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Ilya Ivashka vs Kwon Soon-woo
Head-to-head: Ivashka 2-1 Kwon
Ilya Ivashka leads the head-to-head, with his two victories both coming on hard court, which may bode well for him in Dubai. But Kwon Soon-woo has had the better start to the season, lodging some decent victories, although being unable to string wins together within tournaments. Kwon has never played Dubai before, and Ivashka has had poor showings here. Kwon has scored some solid wins this year, but three of his losses have come to players who play like Ivashka (Marton Fucsovics, Arthur Rinderknech, and to a lesser extent Mikael Ymer).
Prediction: Ivashka in 3
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Jan-Lennard Struff vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: Struff 3-0 Berankis
This is the fourth meeting between these two, the previous three having gone the way of Jan-Lennard Struff. The German has had a few very strong wins here at the ATP Dubai Championships in the last three years, though he has a very slow start to this season, notching only one win in five attempts. Ricardas Berankis has fared slightly better, having won two matches so far this year, and he has also enjoyed some a little success in Dubai, with a win over then-15th ranked Daniil Medvedev in 2019. But the big German’s huge serves should help him overcome his opponent on the fast courts.
Prediction: Struff in 3
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