The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2025 is heating up as players gear up for intense matchups and budding rivalries. With round-of-32 matches set to take place on February 24, the tournament features notable clashes, especially involving promising young talents and seasoned veterans.
Among the anticipated matchups, world No. 21 Karen Khachanov faces off against British player Daniel Evans, who currently holds the No. 167 ranking. Evans last competed at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on February 1, where he suffered defeat against Geoffrey Blancaneaux with scores of 4-6, 3-6. On the other hand, Khachanov is coming off of a tough three-set match loss against Daniil Medvedev on February 18 at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, ending with the scores of 6-4, 5-7, 3-6.
Khachanov's stats on hard courts over the past year indicate he has been quite competitive, with a record of 24-16 and two tournament wins. He is particularly strong on service games, with an 80.2% winning percentage. Meanwhile, Evans has struggled, holding an 8-9 record on hard courts and converting only 41.4% of his break points.
Another noteworthy match is set to take place between Marin Cilic, ranked No. 192, and Alex de Minaur, who sits at No. 8. Cilic faced Carlos Alcaraz at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open only days prior, where he lost 4-6, 4-6 at the Round of 32. De Minaur recently ended up losing to Andrey Rublev after putting up a strong fight, with scores of 1-6, 6-3, 6-7. Both players will be eager to earn their place moving forward.
Cilic’s past year on hard courts has been mixed, with only one title win and modest statistics—while he has managed to hold his serve at 81.5%, his return game has been less effective, winning only 18.8% of return games. On the other hand, de Minaur is having quite the year, with impressive performance statistics: he has won 30 matches on hard courts, boasting strong serving and returning numbers reflecting his prowess on this surface.
Meanwhile, the finals of the women's side of the Dubai Duty Free Championships are set to crown new champions. 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva and Clara Tauson, 22, will face off to see who takes home the title. Andreeva's remarkable run saw her defeat the world's top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka and last year's five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, showcasing her talent on her way to the finals.
Andreeva's impressive performance has made her the youngest player to reach a WTA 1000 final since the format's inception. She first advanced by overcoming No. 6 seed Elena Rybakina with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, completing the last five games of the community decisively after trailing at 3-1. Her mental resilience and ability to shift momentum mid-match have defined her extraordinary run.
Clara Tauson also fought her way through the tournament, taking down No. 14 seed Karolina Muchova after pushing through three sets with scores of 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3. Both players have demonstrated tremendous skill and determination, making the final match highly anticipated among fans.
Viewers can tune in to witness both singles and doubles finals on February 22, with the doubles set to kick off at 4:30 PM local time, followed by the singles final at 7:00 PM. Broadcasts will be available worldwide on various platforms including Tennis Channel, Sky Sports, and DAZN.
With top seeds and lower-ranked players alike gracing the hard courts of Dubai, the stakes are high as players move through the rounds. Each match contributes to the excitement and unpredictability synonymous with tennis championships, promising memorable moments as the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships reach their thrilling conclusion.