With the WTA 1000 in Dubai now over, the ATP 500 event at the same venue kicks off. On Day 2 of proceedings, there are plenty of exciting matches to sink our teeth into with top 50 players Alexander Bublik, Botic Van De Zandschulp, Karen Khachanov and recently crowned Doha champion Daniil Medvedev in action. As always at LWOT, we’ve tried to predict the outcomes. In addition to this article, we have two others today. One features Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Maxime Cressy, and the second features Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac.
ATP Dubai Day 2 Predictions
Alexander Bublik vs Alexander Lazarov
Head-to-head: First meeting
Only one week ago, Alexander Bublik was on a 10-match losing streak. Fortunately he picked himself up on the indoor hard-courts of Marseille to win three challenging matches in a row in fine fashion, only losing out to eventual champion Hubert Hurkacz.
We don’t think there’ll be much rust from the losing streak to shake off but there’s little doubt Bublik’s first serve bomb was always there in any case. Against qualifier Alexander Lazarov, that should be enough to take him to the finish line.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: First meeting
There isn’t a whole lot to be said here. Daniil Medvedev on a hard-court is a nightmare for any Top 50 player, let alone Matteo Arnaldi, who is currently ranked outside the top 100.
The only saving grace for Arnaldi against Medvedev in this form is that the Russian might be feeling sore given his complaints about the heavy balls in Australia, Rotterdam and Doha. It wasn’t enough to stop Medvedev storming to two consecutive titles however so it’s unlikely it affects the outcome here.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Karen Khachanov vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Khachanov 1-0 Van De Zandschulp
It’s now been over a year since Karen Khachanov won three matches on the bounce in an event outside of the Slams. It may sound like an innocuous stat but perhaps there’s something behind it. The game and rally temperament are there for Khachanov but only if he digs deep enough in the pressure moments.
Will he find the motivation to outlast Van De Zandschulp in the longer important rallies? It sounds backwards given their rankings but we think it’s more likely Van De Zandschulp comes out the hungrier of the two, especially given the courts are likely to keep things fairly even.
Prediction: Van De Zandschulp in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
