Daniil Medvedev is back from his post-Australian break and will go up against Alexander Shevchenko in the Dubai first round on Tuesday. The order of play also features a showdown between Jiri Lehecka and Marton Fucsovics.
(1) Daniil Medvedev vs. Alexander Shevchenko
Medvedev will be playing for the first time since the Australian Open when he takes the court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. It is understandable that the third-ranked Russian took some time off, as his run to the final at Melbourne Park was a grueling one and then he lost to Jannik Sinner from two sets up with the title in his grasp. A return to Dubai could be just what the doctor ordered for Medvedev, who is the defending champion. He did not lose a single set nor did he get pushed harder than 6-4 in any set throughout the 2023 event, taking care of Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev in the process.
Up first for Medvedev is Shevchenko, who lost their only previous encounter 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 last spring in Madrid. Much unlike his opponent and former Russian compatriot, Shevchenko has played every week in 2024–he already has seven losses to go along with seven victories. The 47th-ranked Kazakh has posted two quarterfinal results (Montpellier, Rotterdam), but he lost in the Doha opening round to Richard Gasquet in routine straight sets. Rust can be a problem for many players, but it should not be a real factor in Medvedev’s case. The top seed plays a relatively low-risk, rock-solid kind of game and can make opponents beat themselves even if he isn’t in peak form.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
Jiri Lehecka vs. (Q) Marton Fucsovics
Lehecka and Fucsovics will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Tuesday. It has already been a productive stay in Dubai for Fucsovics, who qualified for the main draw by beating Maxime Cressy and Gasquet. The 77th-ranked Hungarian is now looking for his third consecutive safe passage to a second round, having advanced there in both Rotterdam and Doha.
After making two appearances in the Middle East last year, Lehecka skipped Doha this time around. He advanced to the Doha quarterfinals in 2023 and endured three-setters against both Rublev (won) and Andy Murray (lost), so the Czech was not playing on a full gas tank in Dubai and lost to Alexander Zverev during first-round action via a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 decision. He is well rested for Dubai in 2024, having not played since Rotterdam. On the down side, the world No. 36 is just 2-3 in his last five tournament matches since beginning the season with a title in Adelaide. Two matches already under his belt should benefit Fucsovics, who has gotten used to the conditions and could be in line to pull off a minor upset.
Pick: Fucsovics in 3
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