Sports
Habib Faces Popyrin in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Match
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Hady Habib, currently ranked No. 166, will go head-to-head with Alexei Popyrin, ranked No. 27, in the Round of 32 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 24. This matchup comes after both players experienced disappointments in their recent outings at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on February 17, 2025.
Popyrin suffered a two-set loss, falling 2-6, 6-7 to Jack Draper, while Habib was edged out in a closely contested match against Christopher O'Connell, losing 6-7, 6-7. Both players will face a hard court surface as they seek to turn their fortunes at this prestigious tournament.
Live coverage of the match will be available on the Tennis Channel via Fubo. With both Habib and Popyrin struggling in their respective last matches, their confidence may be at stake. Observers are particularly interested in how each player implements their serve strategies and capitalizes on break points in what is anticipated to be a tight contest.
According to data, Popyrin’s higher ranking does not necessarily grant him an advantage. Recent performances indicate struggles for both competitors, making the outcome of this match unpredictable. A victory could serve as a significant confidence booster for either player as the tournament progresses.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 5:00 a.m. ET, is a critical juncture for both players’ rankings and momentum moving forward in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
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