Second-round action continues in Dubai on Tuesday, when David Goffin goes up against Kei Nishikori. Karen Khachanov and Alexei Popyrin are also aiming for a place in the last 16.
Kei Nishikori vs. (5) David Goffin
Nishikori has already done well just to reach the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. One, he remains somewhat rusty in his latest comeback from injury; two, his opening opponent was by no means the easiest (Reilly Opelka). Nishikori prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday but he is still just 3-5 this season.
Up next for the world No. 41 on Tuesday is a fifth career contest against Goffin, who trails the head-to-head series 3-0. However, they have not faced each other since 2015 so there is no real reason to take that statistic into into account. Goffin has already won nine matches this season, which includes a much-needed title on the indoor hard courts of Montpellier. In a matchup between two players with similar styles, the 13th-ranked Belgian is doing just about everything better right now. It won’t help Nishikori’s revamped serve is a work in progress.
Pick: Goffin in 2
(WC) Alexei Popyrin vs. (8) Karen Khachanov
Popyrin has also lifted a trophy this season, doing so the same week as Goffin on the indoor hard courts of Singapore. It was the first ATP title of the 21-year-old’s career, so it would not be surprising if it sends him off to the races. Popyrin is 8-2 for his 2021 campaign and is now well inside the top 100 at 86th in the rankings. The Australian Opened in Dubai with a 7-6(3), 7-5 victory over Dennis Novak and it may help him that he already has a match under his belt in what can sometimes be tricky conditions at this tournament.
Khachanov will be kicking off his week on the heels of a first-round bye as the No. 8 seed. The Russian probably could have used a first-round match simply to get some confidence, because he doesn’t have much of it at the moment. He is just 5-4 in his last nine matches and is coming off a Marseille quarterfinal loss to world No. 287 Matthew Ebden. Khachanov could be in trouble in his first-ever meeting with Popyrin.
Pick: Popyrin in 3
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