Day 1 at the ATP tournament in Dubai will feature plenty of exciting action. World #1 Novak Djokovic and recent Rotterdam and Doha champion Daniil Medvedev won’t be in action yet, but there’ll be plenty of top level players and high level matchups to kick off the tournament.
ATP Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Marc-Andrea Huesler vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: first meeting
Although Huesler is ranked considerably higher. This is a very even matchup for sure, especially with the very decent form Sonego has shown so far this year. He lost very close matches to Hurkacz in Australia and Murray in Doha, but he has shown a decent level of tennis and seems due a deep run here. It could well happen here if he can negotiate his way out of this tricky first round matchup.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Constant Lestienne
Head-to-head: Griekspoor 1-0 Lestienne
Griekspoor has had an incredible rise since late 2021 and has firmly established himself as an ATP level player. He’s currently ranked #40 and looks like he can go even higher; although he’s somewhat lacking against the very best players in the world, he’s very consistent and tough to beat in general. He’s a solid favorite here for sure.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Malek Jaziri vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: Dadidovich Fokina 1-0 Jaziri
This is on paper by far the most one-sided match of the day; Jaziri is talented, but his best days are far behind him, he’s struggling to get wins even at Challenger level. Davidovich Fokina should have little trouble here, it should be a similar result to the last time they faced in Doha 2022, with Jaziri winning only four games.
Predictions: Dadidovich Fokina in 2
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: Halys 2-0 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis reacted well to his heartbreaking loss to Andy Murray in Australia, winning a Challenger in Bahrain. Halys is yet to have a good run this year, but his draws haven’t been very kind either; it should be a very close match, with perhaps a slight edge to the Aussie.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
