Second-round action will begin on Wednesday in Dubai, where Roger Federer is going up against Evgeny Donskoy. Gael Monfils and Dan Evans are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals of this 500-point event.
(3) Roger Federer vs. (Q) Evgeny Donskoy
What’s not to like about Federer’s chances at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as he heads into the second round on Wednesday? His current form, of course, could not be better. The 35-year-old Swiss won the Australian Open and continued his winning ways with a 6-1, 6-3 rout of Benoit Paire that required only 54 minutes on Monday. Additionally, Federer is almost always on fire in Dubai–he is 48-5 lifetime at this tournament with seven titles.
Up next for the world No. 10 on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Donskoy. It has already been a productive week for the 116th-ranked Russian, who qualified for the main draw with victories over Peter Gojowyczk and James McGee before parlaying that success into a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of countryman Mikhail Youzhny on Tuesday. Donskoy is 0-10 during his career against top 10 opponents and there is no reason to think that trend will end against Federer.
Pick: Federer in 2 losing 5-7 games
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Dan Evans vs. (4) Gael Monfils
Monfils and Evans will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Wednesday. It is far too early for Monfils to start thinking about a return trip to the World Tour Finals, but down at No. 12 in the world he will want to pick up the pace sooner rather than later. The Frenchman–who eased past Egyptian wild card Mohamed Safwat in his Monday opener–has played in just two tournaments this season, losing to Rafael Nadal in round four of the Australian Open and to Richard Gasquet in last week’s Marseille quarterfinals.
Evans performed well throughout 2016 and his momentum has continued so far this year. The 43rd-ranked Brit boasts a 9-3 record that includes a runner-up finish in Sydney, a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open, and a routine 6-2, 6-3 victory over Dustin Brown on Tuesday. This has upset potential, but a focused and motivated Monfils has only one loss to an opponent outside the top 20 since Wimbledon.
Pick: Monfils in 3
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Back to typical medium-fast hardcourt (as opposed to fastest slam hard court of all time in Australia).
A 35-year old Fed loses to a qualifier LOL.
Some tournament organizer didn’t get the memo and, as a result, normalcy is restored.
AO set a goal and was rewarded handsomely.
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Ricky, why do you keep posting these when they don’t work properly?
What does the green line signify?
Us three with green lines are special rc. They are comments by The Great Ricky or replies to Him.
hmm, okay.
at least you had an answer and didn’t ask me what I’m smoking 😀
It took me a moment, and then another to spot the trend. 🙂
LOL! Finally someone asked the question!
@hawks 7:52pm,
I tend to agree.,.wonder what’s in making for this year’s FO… and thanks to Andy don’t think Wimby will make changes..,AO organizers did their homework…and I used to love AO…
Blue clay no doubt (at least in playability – if not in colour).
checking for green line.
Federer must have really been mentally elsewhere. Or, he’s fat again. (have not seen him)
RC A poster at 8.49pm February 28th called Susan, how you doing BTW ? ….
Left you a message here (I doubt you had a chance to see it)
https://tenngrand.com/social/wta/comment-page-22/#comment-251628
Hope you are well. Nice to cross paths with you.
IMO Federer seemed to lose focus, i think he took Donskoy for granted ….
Yeah RC sorry i remember it now, my apologies for not sending a reply, just never got around to it, i will message you soon for a catch up CHEERS DARLING 🙂
Luckystar was right in thinking Donskoy didn’t really want to beat Federer, this is what he said after the match:
Donskoy: “I surprised everyone today. I think whoever wins against Roger (Federer) surprises himself,” said Donskoy. “I can say it’s a dream come true, but I don’t like this, because you always want to win, even if it’s Roger.”
No prediction on Murray??
Kohl is such a loser! The match is on his racket, he has 7 MPs but throws them all away! He has himself to blame if he loses this match.
Murray will win this match now though not a convincing performance from a world no.1.
Holy moly!! 20-18!!!!!!
How Kohl didn’t win this one ? Even if Murray played good points on the MP’s he saved, Kohl should have won a hundred time !