Roger Federer looks to catch his 100th ATP Tour title at the Dubai Open on Saturday March 2nd, once the world no. 7 matches rising celebrity Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Federer is a heavy favorite over the youthful Greek star, however came out on the losing side of the last head-to-head matchup.Federer last won in Dubai in 2015, which was his seventh time winning in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Considering that the Australian Open, the 37-year-old has had a mild program leading up with never played in a championship since. The rest has proved rewarding as he’s had a relatively straightforward route to the finals.In reality, he’s actually been improving as the championship wears on. Federer advanced with wins over Philipp Kohlschreiber and Fernando Verdasco through the first two rounds.
In the quarter-finals, despite a close first set with M??rton Fucsovics, he prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4. He made quick work of planet no. 13 Borna ??ori?? in the semi-finals by winning 6-2 6-2.
A win on Saturday would give Federer both titles in Dubai and a 100th career ATP Tour title triumph.
While I saw a relatively easy route for Federer to reach the Dubai Open finals when the draw was made, I was uncertain how much Tsitsipas would have abandoned just last Sunday, after claiming the name in Marseille. He won all four matches from France in straight sets.
Tsitsipas has never dropped off though this week after the triumph, finding himself at the Dubai Open Finals after defeating the 23rd rated Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4).When he faces Tsitsipas on Saturday, a win could give him both eight names in Dubai and also a 100th career ATP Tour title win.His route to the finals hasn’t been the most challenging though when you believe his opponents 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 championship in the ATP rankings.
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