Daniil Medvedev is hoping to round into form in Dubai, but a tough test stands in his way of the quarterfinals in the form of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Karen Khachanov in round two on Wednesday.
(1) Daniil Medvedev vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Medvedev has not won a title since the 2023 Rome Masters, a shocking drought of almost two full years. With five of the eight seeds having already exited the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the first two days of the tournament, Medvedev has a great chance to lift the trophy. The top-seeded Russian’s bid to do so began in efficient fashion, as he took care of Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-6(4) on Tuesday night.
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Up next for Medvedev on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Mpetshi Perricard. The 21-year-old Frenchman enjoyed his breakthrough on tour last season with titles on the red clay of Lyon and the indoor hard courts of Basel. He is 5-2 so far in 2025 after defeating Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 7-6(3) on Monday. Mpetshi Perricard is one of the most dangerous players in the sport because of his serve, but Medvedev is one of the best returners in the game and a matchup against Struff is perfect preparation for a showdown against Mpetshi Perricard.
Pick: Medvedev in 3
(4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Karen Khachanov
Tsitsipas and Khachanov will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers on Wednesday. The head-to-head series is being absolutely dominated 8-1 by Tsitsipas, who has picked up five of his eight wins in straight sets–including thorough beatdowns in each of their last two encounters (2023 Paris Masters and 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters).
Khachanov also faced a head-to-head deficit in his first-round match but finally beat Dan Evans for the first time in six tries in what was a rematch of the longest match in U.S. Open history. However, that result was no surprise given that Evans is hopelessly out of form right now. Tsitsipas is by no means playing great, but he has at least won four matches this season following a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Lorenzo Sonego on Monday. The 11th-ranked Greek clearly loves this matchup and should find more success in it to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 3
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