This promises to be an interesting slugfest between two guys desperate for some form.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Round of 16 Preview
Stefanis Tsitsipas (4) vs Karen Khachanov
This promises to be an interesting slugfest between two guys desperate for some form. Stefanos Tsitsipas has opened up about his mental struggles of late, stating that meditation is helping him work through some of his career disappointments. The former World No.3 enjoyed a poor 2024 campaign, and he hasn’t really looked much better in 2025. He came into this year’s Dubai Championships with a 2-3 record for the year, dumped out of the first round of the Aussie Open by Alex Michelson. Tsitsipas faced another first-round defeat in Qatar and really needed to stop the bleeding this week. He looked somewhere near his best in his first-round clash with Lorenzo Sonego, getting the better of the baseline exchanges while winning 81% of his first-serve points. The Greek star has shone in this event in the past, finishing runner-up in 2019 and 2020. In fact, this is his first appearance here since finishing runner-up in 2020. Conditions look quick this year and Tsitsipas could benefit if his serve and forehand remain consistent.
Former two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Karen Khachanov broke a three-match losing streak in his Dubai opener, thrashing Dan Evans 6-1, 6-3 (finally beat the Brit in their 6th career meeting). He was brutal from the baseline, punishing anything loose with his signature monster forehand (he won an incredible 82% of his 2nd serve return points). Khachanov is based in Dubai and will be hoping to kickstart his flagging campaign this week. The Russian was in explosive form towards the end of last season, reaching back-to-back finals in Almaty and Vienna (winning the former). He also reached the semifinals of the Paris Masters, and I expected a little more from him at the start of this season. The Russian reached the 3rd round of the Aussie Open but then endured that aforementioned three-match losing streak. To be fair, he lost to Medvedev in three sets in a tight tussle in Qatar. A streaky player, Khachanov just needs one solid week to find his rhythm.
The Verdict: Khachanov to win in three at – Tsitsipas has absolutely dominated this rivalry, leading the Russian 8-1 (and 6-1 in hardcourt clashes). Having said that, they haven’t met on a hardcourt since the 2023 Paris Masters. Tsitsipas has regressed substantially as a hardcourt player and Khachanov should feel confident after a resounding victory over Dan Evans.
