It will be a repeat of a wild match from twelve months ago, when Daniil Medvedev and Tallon Greek Spoor faced off again on Saturday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships â this time for the title.
Last year they faced each other in the quarter-finals, when Fransepoor came back from a set and a break-down, saved two match points in the second set at 4-5, fought two more at 5-6 and ultimately triumphed after two hours and 37 minutes 2-6, 7-6(7), 7-5. Surprisingly, that’s the only time they ever met on the pro tour.
Chapter two may not be as entertaining. Greek Spoor is playing well, but suffered an apparent leg injury on Friday evening during a 7-5, 7-6(6) victory over Andrey Rublev. The 25th-ranked Dutchman played super-aggressive tennis in an attempt to keep the points short â and it worked.
Unfortunately for Greek Spoor, it probably won’t work against Medvedev. The world number 11 is a much better defender than his compatriot, so his normal strategy of playing a million miles behind the baseline and getting loads of balls back into play should work to perfection against an opponent who may be less than 100 percent.
Regardless of Greek track status, Medvedev is in top form and should be considered a heavy favorite, even all other things being equal. The No. 3 seed is 13-3 this season with a title in Brisbane and Dubai, wins over Jerry Shang, Stan Wawrinka, Jenson Brooksby and Felix Auger-Aliassime â all in lightning-quick straight sets.
Medvedev triumphed at this event in 2023, so expect his incredible record of never winning the same tournament twice to finally come to an end.
Choice: Medvedev in 2
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