It should be an entertaining first day at the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships with seven matches on the slate in the UAE. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Denis Shapovalov vs Andy Murray. But who will book their spot in the round of 16?
ATP Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-head: van de Zandschulp 3-1 Mannarino
Botic van de Zandschulp has built up a pretty solid edge in this rivalry and all of these matches have taken place on hard courts over the past two years or so. The problem is that the Dutchman has been off his game for a while and hasn’t found anything this year either. Adrian Mannarino looked a little off in North America as well. On paper he should enjoy the conditions in Dubai, it’s a bit surprising he’s only playing here for the second time. Tough to believe in van de Zandschulp right now as he doesn’t seem to be believing in himself either.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tomas Machac should enjoy the conditions at the ATP Dubai Tennis Champions with his style of play and in fact, this is where he pushed Novak Djokovic to the brink last year. He qualified dropping a set to Roberto Bautista Agut in the final round but once he got going, the match practically was done right away. Machac is finally on the main tour now after years of struggling to get there and he’s been so dangerous. With his return skills, he’ll be putting a lot of pressure on Alexander Bublik earlier than the Kazakh expects it.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Zhang Zhizhen vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-0 Zhang
Andrey Rublev is still at his very same consistent best, despite losing to the talented Jakub Mensik last week. In fact, across the past 52 weeks the Russian has only lost in his opening round twice and that was in quick succession during the North American hard court season. Zhang Zhizhen has a ton of upset potential and has already beaten a world #5 on hard courts (Casper Ruud at the US Open), but Rublev neutralized his game very well last time they played and just isn’t as vulnerable as the Norwegian.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
