The ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships kicked off this week, showcasing top-tier tennis competition at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre. Among the early highlights, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece began his campaign with an impressive 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. Tsitsipas's strong performance was underscored by his remarkable 81% success rate on first serves, demonstrating his prowess on the court.
Tsitsipas, known for his previous successes at Dubai—having reached the finals there in 2019 and 2020—will face Russian Karen Khachanov next, who dispatched British wild-card Daniel Evans with ease, winning 6-1, 6-3. This match marks Khachanov’s strong return after snapping a three-match losing streak.
Meanwhile, Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut fought back after dropping the first set to defeat Hungary's Fabian Marozsan, clinching the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). This was the only three-set match of the day, showcasing Bautista's tenacity and skill as he aims to progress deep in the tournament.
Other notable first-round results include Australian Alexei Popyrin, who defeated Lebanese wild-card Hady Habib, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard from France, who overcame China's Zhang Zhizhen with scores of 6-3 and 7-6(3). Mpetshi Perricard, who claimed his first ATP 500 title last season, marked his return after illness, demonstrating his readiness for competitive play.
Across the ocean at the ATP 500 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC in Acapulco, American qualifier Learner Tien made waves with his first main-draw win. Tien beat fellow lefty Cameron Norrie from Britain 7-6(5), 6-3, showcasing 24 winners to Norrie’s 19, outlasting him with strategic play and fewer unforced errors to advance to the next round.
Matteo Berrettini, returning to the ATP Tour with hopes of regaining form, prepares to face the veteran Gael Monfils, coming off good performances, including reaching the quarter-finals recently. The match between the two players is set as the final game of the day on Tuesday, February 25, and promises to be one to watch, particularly because Berrettini leads their head-to-head encounters 3-0.
While the early rounds showcased triumphs, they also brought unexpected turmoil among the tournament’s top contenders. The bottom half of the draw saw considerable chaos within just 30 hours, as not one top-seeded player remained standing following shocking defeats. Alex de Minaur was eliminated by the inspired Marin Cilic, who also knocked out the second seed early. Andrey Rublev succumbed to newcomer Quentin Halys, who capitalized on this opportunity to advance. Further disappointments came as Arthur Fils fell to Nuno Borges, and Jack Draper withdrew prior to his match, signaling dramatic shifts for the tournament’s dynamics.
Looking forward, the results of these early upsets signal potential openings for rising stars and established players alike who remain determined to capitalize on the misfortunes of top-seeded players.
The tournament continues to thrive, with exciting matches lined up, including potential face-offs involving well-favored players like Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, both known for their aggressive playstyle.
With the second round rapidly approaching, anticipation builds as fans and players alike look forward to seeing who will rise to the occasion and secure their position as the competition intensifies. The Dubai Open not only showcases the elite of tennis but also highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport where every match can tell its own story.