Eight thrilling second-round encounters will take place on Day 3 of the ATP 500 event in Dubai. This article features No. 2 seed Alexander Bublik as he takes on Tallon Griekspoor. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but which players will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Dubai Day 3 Predictions
Jakub Mensik vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-Head: Mensik 2-0 Popyrin
No. 6 seed Jakub Mensik produced another serving masterclass and defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets. Mensik lost just one point behind his first serve and did not face a break point all match. Alexei Popyrin got the best win of his season as he came back from a set down to beat Kamil Majchrzak. This will give him some much-needed confidence, but he is still not playing close to the level of Mensik. However, the Australian can make this close if he serves excellently.
Prediction: Mensik in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-Head: Rublev 4-2 Humbert
Andrey Rublev played a solid match in the first round, but could have finished the match even earlier if he converted more of his break points. He was 3/16 in the match and will have to be better against Ugo Humbert, who took out defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. Humbert won most of the big points, which tilted the match in his favour. It has been over two years since these two played, and I am not too confident in either to win. However, I will go with Rublev due to his better recent form.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Jack Draper vs Arthur Rinderknech
Head-to-Head: Draper 1-0 Rinderknech
Jack Draper won his first tour-level match in almost six months, defeating Quentin Halys in straight sets. He was a bit rusty to start the match, but showed grit to win the crucial first set, where he saved set points. He found his rhythm in the second and will look to build on this momentum. Arthur Rinderknech will be a stern test, but Draper has the tools to navigate through this and get the win.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-Head: Bublik 4-0 Griekspoor
After a horrible start to the season, Tallon Griekspoor is finding some form and got another solid win in the first round against Otto Virtanen. He converted both the break points and was clinical from the baseline. However, he has never defeated Alexander Bublik in four tries and has come up short mostly in tiebreaks. Bublik has won all six tiebreaks between these two, and with his improved level of focus, I expect the No. 2 seed to come out victorious once again.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
