ATP Tournament in Dubai, Final, Tuesday, 04.03.2023
We would have loved to talk about Alexander Zverev from a German perspective when the final of the ATP tournament in Dubai was on the agenda. In the end, it wasn’t quite enough for the final, but an all-Russian duel awaits us instead.
Although the number 6 in the world will meet the number 7, the experts at Betano are optimistic that we will get a very clear result.
In my Medvedev Rublev tip I now reveal why I also suspect a clear outcome!
Does he make the triple perfect? Behind Daniil Medvedev lie highly successful days, which he could even top on Saturday. For a year he was searching for his old form, he was good, but no longer world class.
At the Australian Open, the Russian disgraced himself in the 3rd round against Sebastian Korda, did not win a single set. Many puzzled and were at a loss as to when exactly the 27-year-old would finally ignite the turbo again.
In Rotterdam, Medvedev finally played big as if nothing had happened. After wins against Davidovich Fokina, van de Zandschulp, Auger Aliassime, Dimitrov and Sinner, he ended up on top.
Obviously, this Titen had made him want to win the title again. In Qatar, the Russian was rejoicing again, having the happier end on his side in the final against Andy Murray.
Two trophies in a row, Medvedev travelled to Dubai with this recommendation. Competing here for the first time since 2019, he had no notable success at this tournament. Until now, at least!
The former world No. 1 has played four matches, not dropping a single set. Granted: Matteo Arnaldi, Alexander Bublik and Borna Coric were no benchmark, but his opponent in the semi-finals was even more so.
In the duel of the giants against grandmaster Novak Djokovic, it went back and forth, but in the decisive moments the Russian’s class struck. He prevailed 6-4, 6-4, giving Djokovic only one chance to break.
He himself took three of four chances and also collected 78% of the points won on his first serve. Whoever inflicts the Djoker’s first defeat of the year is naturally also the favourite for the final.
Medvedev wants to take his 18th career title with him, for which he goes into the race with average odds of 1.20 to 4.50 at our betting providers. His opponent: compatriot Andrey Rublev.
The two have met six times so far, Medvedev leads 4:2, but the most recent two duels went to Rublev! Last year at the ATP Finals, he won 6-7, 6-3, 7-6, thus overcoming a deficit.
Interestingly, Rublev took both his wins in three sets, Medvedev won outright each time. The underdog this Saturday shattered Alexander Zverev’s dream of reaching the final, prevailing 6-3, 7-6 in the semi-finals.
He left only one break chance to Zverev and although the German had a much better service, Rublev was the lucky winner in the end. Van de Zandschulp, Davidovich Fokina and Krajinovic had already been defeated.
It may be a bit far-fetched, but Medvedev had beaten Fokina and Van de Zandschulp when he won the tournament in Rotterdam, so maybe that is a good omen for Rublev.
In his four matches, Rublev played a tiebreak four times, and the fact that he won all four definitely speaks for his strong nerves. And there is one more thing to say about Rublev: He is the defending champion in Dubai.
My Medvedev Rublev tip
One thing is already certain: a Russian will pick up the deserved victory cheer on Saturday in Dubai. Daniil Medvedev is the clear favourite, which is no surprise given his success over Novak Djokovic.
Rublev had won only one match from two tournaments before Dubai, his results in the last few days were relatively close and peppered with tiebreaks. Since Medvedev is completely without a set loss, I can only guess:
Medvedev wins outright against Rublev!
