It will be a rematch of a wild contest from 12 months ago when Daniil Medvedev and Tallon Griekspoor once again square off at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday — this time for the title.
They faced each other in the quarterfinals last year, when Griekspoor came back from a set and a break down, saved two match points at 4-5 in the second set, fought off two more at 5-6, and eventually prevailed 2-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 after two hours and 37 minutes. Surprisingly, that is the only time they have ever met on the pro tour.
Chapter two may not be quite as entertaining. Griekspoor is playing well, but he struggled with an apparent leg injury during a 7-5, 7-6(6) victory over Andrey Rublev on Friday night. The 25th-ranked Dutchman played super aggressive tennis in an effort to keep points short — and it worked.
Unfortunately for Griekspoor, it probably won’t work against Medvedev. The world No. 11 is a far superior defender compared to his fellow Russian, so his normal strategy of playing a million miles behind the baseline and getting tons of balls back in play should work to perfection against an opponent who may be less than 100 percent.
Regardless of Griekspoor’s status, Medvedev is in stellar form and has to be considered a sizable favorite even if all other things are equal. The No. 3 seed is 13-3 this season with a title in Brisbane and Dubai victories over Jerry Shang, Stan Wawrinka, Jenson Brooksby, and Felix Auger-Aliassime — all in lightning-quick straight sets.
Medvedev triumphed at this event in 2023, so count on his incredible record of never winning the same tournament twice finally coming to an end.
Pick: Medvedev in 2