Roger Federer looks to capture his 100th ATP Tour title in the Dubai Open on Saturday March 2nd, when the world no. 7 matches rising celebrity Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Federer is a heavy favorite over the youthful Greek celebrity, nevertheless came out on the losing side of their last head-to-head matchup.Federer last won in Dubai in 2015, which was his seventh period winning at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Considering that the Australian Open, the 37-year-old has had a mild schedule leading up with never played in a championship since. The remainder has proved worthwhile as he’s had a comparatively straightforward path to the finals.In fact, he has actually been improving as the championship wears on. Federer advanced with three-set wins over Fernando Verdasco and Philipp Kohlschreiber through the first two rounds.
From the quarter-finals, despite a near first set together with M??rton Fucsovics, he prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4. He made quick work of world no. 13 Borna ??ori?? in the semi-finals by winning 6-2 6-2.
A win on Saturday will give both titles in Dubai to Federer and a 100th career ATP Tour title triumph.
While I watched a path for Federer to achieve the Dubai Open finals when the draw was made, I was unsure how much Tsitsipas could have abandoned only Sunday after claiming the title in Marseille. He won all four matches in France in straight sets.
Tsitsipas hasn’t dropped though this week following the win, finding himself in the Dubai Open Finals after defeating the 23rd ranked Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4).When he faces Tsitsipas on Saturday, a win would give him both eight names in Dubai and also a 100th career ATP Tour title win.His path to the finals has not been the most challenging though when you believe his competitors were: Matthew Ebden (47th), Egor Gerasimov (155th), and Hubert Hurkacz (77th) throughout the opening three rounds.
Tsitsipas has his sights on a top 10 placing following this tournament.
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