Novak Djokovic will continue his Dubai campaign when he faces familiar foe Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday. Andrey Rublev and Filip Krajinovic are also aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber
Djokovic and Kohlschreiber will squaring off for the 14th time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 11-2 in favor of Djokovic, who lost to Kohlschreiber last spring in Indian Wells but then reeled off three consecutive victories–most recently via a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 decision at Wimbledon. This marks their first-ever meeting at an event outside of a Grand Slam or Masters 1000.
Djokovic’s bid for a fifth Dubai title (first since 2013) began with a 6-1, 6-2 beatdown of Malek Jaziri. The world No. 1 is now 14-0 this season; 6-0 at the ATP Cup, 7-0 at the Australian Open, and 1-0 in Dubai. Kohlschreiber also benefited from a favorable first-round draw, beating Egyptian wild card Mohamed Safwat 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. The 36-year-old German is struggling down at No. 80 in the world and another routine loss to Djokovic is likely in the cards.
Pick: Djokovic in 2 losing 5-7 games
[crowdsignal poll=10510898]
(6) Andrey Rublev vs. Filip Krajinovic
Djokovic, Rublev, and Gael Monfils are tied at the top of the 2020 match wins leaderboard with 14. Rublev has racked them up with titles in Doha and Adelaide, a fourth-round performance at the Aussie Open, and a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 17-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti on Monday in Dubai. The 14th-ranked Russian’s record stands at 14-2, with losses to Alexander Zverev and none other than Krajinovic two weeks ago in Rotterdam.
Rublev gets a shot at revenge on Wednesday after Krajinovic won his opener 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 over Joao Sousa. This is their fourth contest overall, with the Serb leading the head-to-head series 2-1 (he got the job done at the 2017 Moscow tournament, while Rublev rolled 6-1, 6-2 in the Davis Cup Finals last fall). Although Krajinovic is in fine form, dropping a set to a struggling Joao Sousa does not bode well. Rublev is well-rested for once this season and should have a clear upper hand.
Pick: Rublev in 2
[crowdsignal poll=10511043]
WWW?
Kohli has had some nice matches in the past with Nole, but I don’t think he’s playing well enough to do so here, though he is a step up from Jaziri, Nole takes it like 6-1, 6-4.
When Kraj beat Rublev a couple weeks ago it was one of Kraj’s best ever matches, you have to play that well to beat Rublev these days, Kraj is now 2-0 vs. Rublev indoors, Kraj also WD from Marseille with a foot injury, so it probably won’t happen again, they are outside now, so a different setting, Kraj dropping a set to Sousa does not necessarily mean anything, Rublev to win 7-5, 7-6.
Here are my Santiago quick picks for the day: Sousa over Olivo, Monteiro over Mayer, Martin over Davidovich Fokina, Delbonis over Klizan, Kovalik over Caruso, Horansky over Varillas, Londero over Coria, Lorenzi over Tabilo.
Acapulco quick picks: Kwon over Daniel, Dimitrov over Dzumhur, Martinez over Albot, Lajovic over Johnson, A. Zverev over Jung, Millman over Fritz, Isner over M. Zverev.
Kohl always a tough competitor (esp vs Isner!), but Joker in 2; Rublev in 2.
Santiago quick picks: Delbonis over Caruso in 2, Cuevas over Olivo in 2, Dellien over Barrios Vera in 3, Ruud over Tabilo in 2.
Dubai quick picks: Herbert over Evans in 3, Khachanov over Novak in 2, Tsitsipas over Bublik in 3, Struff over Basilashvili in 3, Paire over Gasquet in 2, Monfils over Uchiyama in 2.