Seeds Ugo Humbert and Andrey Rublev are in outstanding form and will try to maintain momentum by earning quarterfinal spots on Wednesday in Dubai. Humbert meets Andy Murray, while Rublev awaits qualifier Arthur Cazaux.
Andy Murray vs. (5) Ugo Humbert
Murray is starting to win some tennis matches this season, and it is no surprise that success is coming in the Middle East. The 37-year-old Scot’s only final appearance since the summer of 2022 has come in Doha, where he finished runner-up to Daniil Medvedev in 2023 and advanced one round last week (beat Alexandre Muller, lost to Jakub Mensik in a third-set tiebreaker). Now he finds himself at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he is 18-5 lifetime with one title (2017) and one runner-up showing (2012). Murray booked his spot in the second round on Monday by beating Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Up next for the three-time Grand Slam champion is Humbert, who has lost both of their previous encounters. Murray prevailed 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 at the 2019 Antwerp event and 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 a couple of years later in Metz (both on indoor hard courts). In the past Murray’s defense has–just barely–gotten the best of Humbert’s offense. However, that will likely change in this one because Murray’s relative decline has coincided with the 18th-ranked Frenchman’s rise and conditions in Dubai are ideal for big, flat hitters. Humbert, who defeated compatriot Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday, should have the upper hand and continue his hot streak.
Pick: Humbert in 3
Arthur Cazaux vs. (2) Andrey Rublev
Like Murray, Rublev has one title (2022) and one runner-up performance (2023) in Dubai. In fact, this is one of the second-seeded Russian’s best tournaments. He owns a 15-3 lifetime record after getting the best of Zhizhen Zhang 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4 on Monday. Rublev is now 12-3 this season with a title in Hong Kong and a quarterfinal result at the Australian Open.
Cazaux ran into Rublev as a lucky loser at the U.S. Open (the world No. 5 cruised 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-1) and now faces him as a qualifier. The 21-year-old Frenchman earned his place in the main draw with victories over Damir Dzumhur and Giulio Zeppieri, after which he knocked off Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2) in round one. Cazaux has surged to 86th in the rankings thanks to a scorching-hot January that included a triumph at the Noumea Challenger and a fourth-round run in Melbourne. The underdog should be more competitive than he was in New York, but Rublev is also rolling right now and absolutely loves Dubai.
Pick: Rublev in 2
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