Daniil Medvedev saves one day from shocks in Dubai | ATP Tour

Dubai

Medvedev saves one day from shocks in Dubai

Favorites No. 2 of Miñaur and No. 3 Rublev said goodbye in the first round

February 25, 2025

When Daniil Medvedev jumped on Tuesday to the central track of the Dubai Duty Freenis Championships, he was warned that any mistake could cost him a ticket back home. Many of the main favorites had been surprised at their premiere only a few hours before.

But serial head No. 1 and champion in 2023 gave no option to his rival in the first round of the ATP 500 of Dubai, Jan-Lennard Struff, solving his premiere in this edition by 6-4, 7-6 (4) , in an hour and 44 minutes.

Medvedev closed his victory shortly after seeing how the tournament was delayed with two of his great rackets. And it is that both the favorite No. 2 Alex de Minaur and No. 3 Andrey Rublev were surprised in their debut against Marin Cilic and Quentin Halys, respectively.

“The results do not matter,” said Medvedev about De Miñaur and Rublev’s defeats in the first round. “You have to play well and win your games. I like tennis, I like to see the games, but I don’t stress me before entering the track. ”

While it is true that in what has elapsed the season, No. 6 of the PIF ATP Rankings has not reaped bright results – the semifinals in the ATP 250 of Marseille are its best brand to date – Dubai is a special scenario for him .

On the hard track of the United Arab Emirates has reached, at least, the semifinals in the last two editions (champion in 2023; semifinalist in 2024) and in 2025 he has started without leaving a set along the way in front of Struff, with whom he maintains a rivalry Lexus ATP Head2head in his favor by 8-1.

“I think Jan’s main weapon is the serve and in a way I have managed to read it,” said Medvedev. “Simply pass. Even with me, I’m getting quite well and there are some players against whom I can’t do an ace. I am happy with my level, because he is a strong rival and I am happy to be in the second round. ”

Medvedev built his success from his service, with which he signed seven ACES, said 79% of the points he put into play with his first serve and saved the 4 break opportunities he granted, according to Infosys ATP statistics.

In addition, turning a single break into the third game of the game was enough to decant the balance on the first set, and then in the Tie-Broak of the second close his tenth victory in 13 games played in the tournament.

Medvedev will find on the second round of Dubai to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who last Monday got his pass in front of Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 7-6 (3). It will be the first face to face between them, with a ticket to the quarterfinals at stake.

Another of the players who have already conquered the title in Dubai as Ugo Humbert, in force champion, started his journey in this edition with a convincing performance against Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-0 in 68 minutes.

While the Australian from the previous phase Christopher O’Connell continued before the head of series No. 6 Grigor Dimitrov, which was forced to withdraw with 6-0 on the scoreboard and just 26 minutes of meeting.

Did you know what …?

Daniil Medvedev pursues his first title since he won the ATP Masters 1000 of Rome in 2023. If the main favorite wins in Dubai, it would be the first scenario where Crown would repeat.