Dubai R3 previews and predictions: Bautista Agut vs. Sinner, Shapovalov vs. Hurkacz

A couple of intriguing all-seeded matchups will be on display in Dubai on Wednesday. Doha runner-up Roberto Bautista Agut is going up against Jannik Sinner, while Denis Shapovalov is set for a meeting with Hubert Hurkacz.

(16) Jannik Sinner vs. (4) Roberto Bautista Agut

Bautista Agut is no stranger to success in the Middle East. The 11th-ranked Spaniard is a former champion of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (2018) in addition to Doha (2019) and he just reached the Doha final again (lost to Nikoloz Basilashvili this past Saturday). Last week’s performance continued a strong February and March stretch for Bautista Agut, who also made a run to the Montpellier title match (lost to David Goffin). His current week in Dubai has been entirely routine so far, with a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed followed by a first-set retirement from Matthew Ebden.

Up next for Bautista Agut on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Sinner. The Italian is up to No. 32 in the world thanks some stellar results last fall (including a French Open quarterfinal showing) and an 8-3 record already this season. Sinner booked his spot in the Dubai second round by battling past Alexander Bublik 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 on Tuesday. The 19-year-old may be able to serve his way to a set, but Bautista Agut has always thrived in these conditions and in the end he will likely break down his opponent from the back of the court.

Pick: Bautista Agut in 3

(3) Denis Shapovalov vs. (13) Hubert Hurkacz

Shapovalov kicked off his Dubai campaign against an opponent whom he had never defeated. The Canadian was an alarming 0-4 lifetime vs. Jan-Lennard Struff prior to Tuesday, but he nonetheless rolled 6-1, 6-3. Shapovalov’s reward is a matchup with another player who is perfect against him. Hurkacz leads the head-to-head series 2-0, having prevailed 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 at the 2019 Indian Wells Masters and 6-3, 6-4 later that year in Indian Wells.

Given that past history and the fact that he has been in better form this season, Hurkacz has to like his chances on Wednesday. The 35th-ranked Pole took care of Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4 in his opener, improving to 8-4 in 2021–which includes a title in Delray Beach. Shapovalov is still just 4-4 for his season despite Tuesday’s victory. This looks like a good opportunity for Hurkacz to continue his impressive success against a higher-ranked opponent.

Pick: Hurkacz in 3