Roger Federer continues his bid for his 100th title in Dubai as the Swiss champion takes on Marton Fucsovics in the quarterfinals. Thursday’s schedule also includes a battle between No. 6 seed Borna Coric and Nikoloz Basilashvili.
(2) Roger Federer vs. Marton Fucsovics
World No. 7 Roger Federer is still on the hunt for his 100th title. The Swiss won No. 99 in Basel last October, but he hasn’t been in a final since. Dubai, his second home tournament (after Basel), represents a good opportunity to kick his 2019 into high gear. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the young gun who knocked him out of the Australian Open in the fourth round, is in the other half of the draw and the highest seed left in his half is a struggling Borna Coric.
Marton Fucsovics has quietly gone about the business of achieving his career-high ranking as of this week. He made the final in Sofia a couple weeks ago, dispatching Roberto Bautista Agut in the process.
Federer will still be the favorite playing in front of the home crowd, but Fucsovics is a dangerous player and Federer has shown a little vulnerability this week in his first two matches.
Cheryl pick: Fucsovics in 3
Ricky pick: Federer in 2
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(6) Borna Coric vs. Nikoloz Basilashvili
This is perhaps the most tantalizing of the quarterfinal matches on the docket for Thursday. Nikoloz Basilashvili has already taken out No. 4 seed Karen Khachanov and in-form Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Ordinarily, Coric would be the heavy favorite. The Croat is one of the most promising of a talented batch of young players making their way up the rankings. But the world No. 13 hasn’t had a good start to his season. He did have a comeback win over Tomas Berdych in the second round on Wednesday, which hints at the fact that he may have righted the ship for his 2019 season.
Expect a more confident Coric to take the court in the quarters. Despite Berdych’s ranking (No. 88), the Czech is a tough player who has had an excellent start to the season. Coric’s win on Wednesday is not one to take for granted.
Cheryl pick: Basilashvili in 3
Ricky pick: Basilashvili in 3
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First set 5-5, match has to stop because of rain. I blame Tsitsipas for the delayed start of this match; had Tsitsipas won his match in straight sets, maybe this Fed match would’ve been completed by now!