Jan Choinski’s 2026 tennis campaign remains a rollercoaster of hard-fought matches and tantalizing near-misses, and as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships qualifiers approach, all eyes are back on the British No. 124 as he prepares for another stern test. Just days after a dramatic Qatar Open battle against rising Czech star Jakub Mensik, Choinski finds himself staring down another formidable opponent: France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Set for Sunday morning on New Court 1 in Dubai, this qualification showdown marks the third career meeting between Choinski and Mpetshi Perricard. History so far favors the Frenchman, who leads their head-to-head 2-0. Their last encounter, at the 2024 Lille Challenger, saw Mpetshi Perricard claim victory in a topsy-turvy three-setter, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Yet, with both players entering this match fresh off confident qualifying wins, the stage is set for a compelling clash.
Choinski’s route to Dubai has been anything but straightforward. In Doha, he started strong, pushing No. 6 seed Mensik to a first-set tiebreak in the Qatar Open opening round. Choinski’s aggressive serve was on full display, racking up 10 aces and keeping the Czech on his toes. But after narrowly losing that tiebreak 7-6(6), the match slipped away. Mensik, brimming with confidence from his own recent upset of world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, stormed back to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-4. The British challenger’s serve faltered under pressure, and his unforced errors mounted to 44 by match’s end. Mensik’s superior net play and 31 winners ultimately made the difference, sending Choinski home with valuable lessons but no ticket to the next round.
“Great effort from Jan Choinski who narrowly loses out to No.6 seed Jakub Menšík 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 at the Qatar Open,” the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) noted, recognizing the Brit’s tenacity despite the defeat. The numbers told the story: Mensik won 54% of total points (105 out of 196), compared to Choinski’s 46% (91 out of 196). While Choinski’s early first-serve percentage hovered at a healthy 66%, it dipped as Mensik’s relentless return game wore him down. The Czech’s 68% first-serve success rate and 71% net point conversion proved too much for the Brit to handle.
But if Doha ended in heartbreak, Dubai offers a fresh slate. Choinski arrives on the back of a straight-sets qualifying win over Jesper de Jong, 6-1, 7-6(4). In that match, Choinski was clinical, scoring 68 points to De Jong’s 49, blasting 26 winners, and firing 8 aces with just one double fault. His serve was a fortress—winning 84% of first-serve points and 64% on the second, not conceding a single break. He broke De Jong three times, converting a remarkable 75% of his break points. It’s the kind of performance that suggests Choinski, at least on his day, can match up against some of the tour’s best.
Standing in his way, however, is the big-serving Mpetshi Perricard, currently ranked No. 58. The Frenchman’s own qualifying campaign has been impressive. Against Shintaro Mochizuki, Mpetshi Perricard delivered a straight-sets masterclass, 6-1, 7-6(4), racking up 66 points, 38 winners, and a jaw-dropping 20 aces. He won 86% of his first-serve points and 57% on the second, saving the only break point he faced and never dropping serve. With a 5-6 overall record this year (5-4 on hard courts) and a 55% career win rate over nine years, Mpetshi Perricard brings both experience and momentum to the Dubai courts.
The stats paint a fascinating picture of two players with contrasting strengths. Mpetshi Perricard’s serve is his sledgehammer—20 aces in his last match and a 76% first-serve percentage. Choinski, meanwhile, relies on aggressive baseline play and tactical variety, as evidenced by his 26 winners and 3 breaks of serve against De Jong. Both players have yet to drop a set in the Dubai qualifiers, each winning their opening matches in two sets and 20 games apiece. In terms of workload, they arrive evenly matched, though Mpetshi Perricard’s higher ace count (20 to Choinski’s 8) could prove decisive if the Brit’s return game falters.
Looking back at their previous meetings, Mpetshi Perricard’s 2-0 head-to-head advantage looms large. Their most recent clash, the 2024 Lille Challenger, swung wildly in momentum—Mpetshi Perricard took the first set, Choinski stormed back in the second, but the Frenchman ultimately closed out the decider with authority. Notably, this will be their first meeting on hard courts, adding another layer of intrigue to Sunday’s encounter.
For Choinski, the Dubai match is more than just another qualifier—it’s a chance to reset after the disappointment in Qatar and prove he can go toe-to-toe with higher-ranked opposition. His 2026 record stands at 3-4 overall (3-2 on hard), and while he’s yet to compete in the main draw of this tournament, his qualifying win shows he’s adapting quickly to the conditions. The Brit’s serve, when firing, can trouble anyone, but consistency and mental resilience will be key if he’s to break his duck against Mpetshi Perricard.
For Mpetshi Perricard, Dubai represents an opportunity to build on a solid start to the season. His 5-4 hard-court record in 2026 and 58-44 career tally on the surface suggest he’s comfortable and confident. The Frenchman’s ability to dominate on serve—20 aces and an 86% first-serve win rate against Mochizuki—could make him the favorite, as reflected in the odds. But with Choinski’s aggressive return game and hunger to avenge past defeats, nothing is guaranteed.
As the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships qualifiers unfold, tennis fans can expect a high-octane contest between two players eager to make their mark. Will Mpetshi Perricard’s booming serve and head-to-head edge carry him through, or can Choinski harness the lessons from Doha and finally turn the tables on his French rival? With both men in strong form and the stakes high, Sunday’s matchup promises fireworks.
Regardless of the outcome, both Choinski and Mpetshi Perricard have shown they’re more than capable on the big stage. For Choinski, another test awaits, and for Mpetshi Perricard, it’s a chance to solidify his reputation as one of the most dangerous qualifiers on tour. Tennis fans won’t want to miss this one as the Dubai drama continues to unfold.