Day 3 at ATP Dubai Tennis Championships will see the entire second round, including some of the top names in tennis. Do you think he’ll win? As always, we here at LWOT predict all of the matches. We split the day’s matches between this and a separate article. What do you think will happen?
ATP Dubai Day 3 Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-0
The Spaniard has a very poor end to his 2022 season finishing with five back-to-back losses but has thankfully turned the tide in 2023 with seven wins already with a few tight losses. On the other hand, Rublev despite being ranked six in the world has had a shocking start to his season for someone of his ranking outside of his Australian Open quarterfinal with just two wins to four losses. However, on a court like Dubai which isn’t slow in the slightest, the Russian possesses a better serve and more importantly, far bigger groundstrokes. It’s hard to see the underdog keeping with Rublev in rallies.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: 0-0
It’s fair to say the 28-year-old is a late bloomer, and in all honesty it’s great to see. With a strong first round win and a stunning fight against eventual champion Daniil Medvedev last week in Dubai, the Australian is only getting better. Zverev on the other hand had an amazing win in the opening round against the talented and in-form Jiri Lehecka. The issue for the German is that after over seven months out of the game with injury, even when he plays well in matches he’s often backed it up with less than impressive performances. Purely due to this it’s hard to call this one but it should be tight.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Coric 2-0
A battle between two players who have both spent recent years on the sidelines injured. The Australian is coming into here with a Challenger Tour title so no doubt with confidence although not beating a Top 90 player the whole of the event. Coric hasn’t had a good start to the year at all and with barely playing in his first round match due to Dan Evans retiring, it’s hard to see where the Croatian is at. The playing conditions and form favor Kokkinakis, but Coric is the better player.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Medvedev 4-0
With the Russian leading a very one-sided head-to-head as well as winning back-to-back titles it’s hard to see any hope for the man from Kazakhstan. Bublik has the game and power to match most on faster surfaces which favor big games and serves but ultimately against one of the most solid players in recent years who can grind anyone down, he’ll need to do it relentlessly for at least two hours which is hard to imagine.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
