The first round action of the Dubai ATP 500 continues on Tuesday when an intriguing showdown takes place between Ugo Humbert and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Jakub Mensik, who played well in Doha, faces Hubert Hurkacz.
Ugo Humbert vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Humbert and Tsitsipas will face each other for the fifth time in their careers when they compete in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-1 in favor of Humbert, including 2-1 on outdoor hard courts. They have not faced each other since 2023, when the Frenchman recorded a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win at the Shanghai Masters.
Still, Tsitsipas must value his chances in Dubai. The 30th-ranked Greek has an excellent 15-3 record at this tournament with three consecutive trips to the final – including a title last year. He has never lost in four appearances prior to the quarters. Tsitsipas is also playing well so far this season, with a 9-4 record. Humbert is just 4-5 in his last nine games, so this really wouldn’t be an issue even if the southpaw is ranked higher.
Choice: Tsitsipas in 3
(6) Jakub Mensik vs. Hubert Hurkacz
According to the ranking, Mensik took the biggest victory of his career last week. The 20-year-old Czech upset world No. 2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 in the Doha quarter-finals before losing to Arthur Fils in the semi-finals. Mensik is poised to begin the 2026 campaign with an 11-3 record, including an Auckland title.
Next up for the world number 13 is a third match on Tuesday against Hurkacz, who has won both previous encounters – in five sets at the 2024 Australian Open and in a third-set tiebreak at the 2025 Rome Masters. Mensik could not have gotten much closer in those two matches, and this time he should be able to get over the hump. Hurkacz was on fire during the United Cup, but the 73rd-ranked Pole has cooled considerably since week one of the season.
Choice: Mensik in 3
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