The opening day of the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships features an intriguing mix of players looking to build momentum ahead of the Sunshine Double next month. There are six matches on the slate on day one and, as alwyas, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all of them including Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans. But who will book their spot in the second round?
ATP Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Alexei Popyrin vs Hady Habib
Head-to-head: first meeting
Despite a fairly strong end to 2024, Alexei Popyrin has struggled to find his footing in 2025 and is still searching for his first win of the season. Losses in the early rounds of Brisbane,the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Doha have stalled his momentum, making this a crucial match for him to regain confidence. Hady Habib, while a heavy underdog, will look to capitalize on Popyrin’s dip in form, but his lack of experience at this level makes an upset unlikely. If Popyrin can rediscover his rhythm, his superior firepower should see him through, but his recent struggles suggest he might need to work harder than expected to get over the line.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3Embed from Getty Images
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Zhang Zhizhen
Head-to-head: Zhang 1-0 Mpetshi Perricard
This could be the most competitive match of the three, with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s booming serve and powerful game posing a real challenge for Zhang Zhizhen. The Frenchman has made strides recently, but Zhang’s greater experience on the ATP Tour gives him an edge. If Mpetshi Perricard serves well, he can keep the match close, but Zhang’s more well-rounded game and better movement should help him navigate the big-serving threat. Expect a close match, possibly decided by a few tiebreaks, with Perricard slightly favored to advance.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 3-0 Sonego
While Stefanos Tsitsipas has struggled with consistency in recent months, he remains the favorite against Lorenzo Sonego, particularly on a quick hard court like Dubai. Tsitsipas holds a commanding lead their head-to-head and should naturally maintain his the advantage in baseline firepower and shot-making ability. Sonego is always a dangerous opponent with his aggressive game and strong serve, but unless Tsitsipas falters, his superior experience in bigger matches should see him through in a tight contest.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
