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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WWW?
Jeez I really wanted to take Evans but just can’t justify it. Why hasn’t he played last three weeks after DC?
I think this will be straight forward for Gael (a term not usually used with Monfils) so I’ll go out on a limb.
Look for Monfils to take advantage of a rusty Evans in their career debut meeting.
Winner: Monfils
Against Fed, Paire broke more racquets than games won.
Doubt Fed’s next opponent will have a better outing )other than losing less racquets).
Winner: Fed (losing less than five)
Meant to say Monfils in two.
Can Daniel Evans defeat G. Monfils?
I have not been impressed by monfils performance even though he is the favourite to win, evans to win at 3.25 and monfils to win at 1.26 what do you think should i go with D. Evans or should i avoid this match, becos am not picking G. Monfils until he starts playing well.
I would be making my decision in the nxt 30 minutes i would appreciate ur comments.
Can stanley believe in science & evolution?
I have not been impressed by Creepy stanley.
All these picks under daily picks are allways betting favorites. It’s easy just to keep choosing betting favorites Everytime. But then when some bull shit like wawrinka losing there is no explanation. I can just make a blog making picks on favorites every day and get 95 percent correct.
you should
95%???
Nah. Favourites only win about 70% of the time. Slightly better than Ricky ?.
Monfils in two and fed in two losing 5-7 games
I think Evo can do it .
definitely has a good chance
Evans for the W
not a terrible pick
Hard to focus on Dubai when IW is just a week away…and I’ll be there!!…but still, Fed in a quick two, and Gael in two.
Good job, Evgeny!
What a shocker!!!!!! Donskoy beats Federer in 3 sets.
BOUMMMMMMMMM FED IS OUT
Can’t stand Donskoy! It’s as if he suddenly realized in the twelve game of the final set that he would be beating his idol Fed and then tanked the game to let Fed back into the set to play a TB! He was terrible in TB as well, just handing a winnable match by him back to Fed! Disgusting to fall apart like this!
But Donskoy won the match!
Lucky, were you just watching the scores?
??
How do you like him now Lucky! LOL!
We don’t have seen the same game luckystar, Donskoy was absolutely on fire in the TBs. His return winner at 5-4 in the TB of the third set is just pure beauty.
I told you so… Never saw Fed winning Dubai although am a bit surprised he lost to Donskoy…anyway, don’t think Fed will be shedding tears over this loss…means BIG nothing…
Surely, no way would Fed have wanted to be taken out by Donskoy. He didn’t have to play Dubai if he didn’t want to so he must have fancied his chances.
WHAT!! HOW!! IM FUCKIN SHOCKED
Well I said it too soon, he finally thought it’s not worth giving up a big win like that and so did win the match at last. Very strange match!
Fed looked like playing so well but yet rusty when playing the important points. I mean he had MPs yet threw them all away to lose the match! Of course the main reason was still Donskoy playing the match of his life to beat the great Roger Federer.
Susan isnt that the whole point surely ? ….
who?
Maybe Fed didn’t believe Donskoy would actually pull it off because he didn’t seem to change gear at all when Donskoy was leading.
Good win by Donskoy! I would be pissed with him if he lost it after playing so well the whole match and was serving for the match in the final set but lost his serve. Quite unbelievable to win six straight points in the TB against Fed to win the match in the end!
I am sure Fed did not want to lose to Donskoy. However, I don’t think he will dwell in this loss after winning the AO and getting his 18th slam.