We’re in Dubai this week and there is an incredibly stacked ATP 500 draw for us to sink our teeth into. On only the second day of play, we have veteran Gael Monfils against his mercurial compatriot Ugo Humbert, plus we have last week’s Doha champion Karen Khachanov taking on youngster Luca Van Assche. These two matches alone would be enthralling enough but there are two more predicted in this article and five others predicted in a separate article.
ATP Dubai Day 2 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Luca Van Assche
Head-to-head: First meeting
Karen Khachanov posted grotesque numbers on serve in Doha. The Russian was always a physical specimen from the back of the court but his serve seems to have improved in recent times. Ordinarily, the speedy conditions might have put him at a very slight disadvantage but they should actually assist his serve even more, saving him from any physical dips he might be experiencing as a result of last week.
Luca Van Assche probably isn’t the kind of player to trouble Khachanov’s extreme grip with his serve anyway. This should be fairly routine for last week’s champion in Doha.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Lorenzo Sonego vs Sumit Nagal
Head-to-head: First meeting
What did Sumit Nagal do after reaching the second round of the Australian Open? He showed it wasn’t a fluke by winning eight matches in a row to break the Top 100. Nagal’s undoubtedly playing well.
Unfortunately, Lorenzo Sonego’s not like the players he’ll have faced of late. The Italian rarely plays a poor match and will be well up for the battle here. We won’t underrate Nagal in the form of his life but Sonego should ultimately wrestle control of this one.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-head: First meeting
There are still glaring holes in the Lorenzo Musetti hard court game. He had looked great at the tale of 2022 but since then, the serve just hasn’t been the weapon it needs to be for him to achieve great things.
Arthur Cazaux has got absolutely no problems in that department. The Frenchman has got one of the livest arms in the business, coming through his final round of qualifying winning 90% of his first service points. Musetti will be exposed here against a youngster that’s got plenty of explosiveness.
Prediction: Cazaux in 2
Gael Monfils vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 2-1 Monfils
Gael Monfils and Ugo Humbert only played last week in Doha with Monfils coming out on top. The conditions are heavier there than those in Dubai, which stopped Humbert from dictating as many of the points as he would have liked.
Over the last five years here, Monfils has made two semifinals so he clearly has the fight to make it close. With the court speed ramped up, however, the world #18 should be back to his ferocious best.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
