Dubai: With four of the top five players in action, the main round draw has thrown up some pretty interesting match-ups at the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open that gets under way from Monday.
Top seed and four-time champion Novak Djokovic takes on Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in their first round match on centre court - an opponent against whom the world number one holds a 2-0 record. They met the first time in the 2013 Davis Cup world group semi-finals when Serbia hosted Canada and Djokovic won in straight sets. Last year, the Serbian defeated Pospisil in their second round match at the China Open in Beijing.
With second seed Roger Federer holding up the lower end of the draw with an opening match against Mikhail Youzhny, much attention will shift on third seed and world number four Andy Murray of Great Britain as he marks his return to Dubai after a two-year gap. Murray has been drawn to take on World No.34 Gilles Muller of Luxembourg against whom he carries a 2-0 record.
The last time the two played was way back in 2012, when the British player won in three sets at the Brisbane International. A win in the first round will set up Murray against the winner of the match between Irish wild card James McGee and Portugal’s Joao Sousa followed by a semi-final meeting with Federer, provided everything goes as per past form.
No.4 Tomas Berdych will start his campaign with a first round meeting with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and then a semi-final meeting with fifth seed Ernests Gulbis.
The draw was attended by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free – owners and organisers of the annual event. Attending the draw was Berdych, Youzhny of Russia and Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who has already won a title in Montpellier this season.
“The players love our tournament and that is why we have been successful and grown strong over the past 23 years,” McLoughlin said.
“I think it is time for me to get my first title in Dubai,” smiled Berdych, who has ended as the runner-up on the past two consecutive occasions.
“But getting there is going to be pretty tough due to the strong field this tournament always attracts. I suppose that is what makes this event so appealing to us players. We are all in the best time of our sport and it would be lovely to go one up and win in Dubai,” the Czech said.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak announced the three wild cards that include the experienced Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, 17-year-old Alexander Zverev of Germany and McGee of Ireland, currently ranked No.208.
This is the 23rd year of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open with the main round matches being held in two sessions, at 2 pm and 7 pm from Monday to Wednesday. Thursday’s quarter-finals will take place at 3 pm and 7 pm, while the semi-finals on Friday will once again move at 2 pm and 7 pm.