Medvedev, Auger-Aliassime Set for Dubai Quarterfinal Showdowns

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is down to its final eight players, with two seeds remaining as quarterfinals approach. Top seed Daniil Medvedev will face Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday, while Felix Auger-Aliassime looks to extend his winning streak against Marin Cilic.

Medvedev, the 2023 champion, is in search of his first title since the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome last year. The Russian has demonstrated resilience in his earlier matches, defeating Jan-Lennard Struff and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets. He described his quick reflexes against Mpetshi Perricard’s serves as crucial, stating, “You don’t have any time, so it’s pure reflexes.” Medvedev, now sporting an 11-3 record in Dubai, aims for a strong showing as he adjusts to different playing styles.

“It’s tactically easy, in a way, because you have to be strong on your serve,” Medvedev added, noting his success on first serves where he won 96 percent of the points.

Griekspoor, ranked 47th, has surprised many with notable victories, including a nail-biting match against Roman Safiullin, where he saved three match points, and a successful defense against the defending champion Ugo Humbert. Griekspoor stated, “He’s an unbelievable player,” referring to Humbert, highlighting the skill required to come out on top in such close contests.

The matchup between Medvedev and Griekspoor marks their first career meeting, raising the stakes as the Dutchman looks to pull off an upset. With Griekspoor’s recent resurgence, analysts are predicting a competitive match.

Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime meets Marin Cilic, who has made a comeback after being sidelined due to injuries. The 36-year-old Croat looks to regain form after a rocky start in Doha against Carlos Alcaraz. Cilic has a historic lead of 3-1 over Auger-Aliassime in their head-to-head encounters, but the Canadian young star won their last meeting at the 2022 Australian Open.

Auger-Aliassime, currently ranked 21st, has started the year strong, with titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, and a record of 14-4. He aims to capitalize on Cilic’s physical state, having battled in three-setters earlier in the tournament. “I’m feeling good, and I’ve had great matches so far,” Auger-Aliassime said, expressing confidence as he prepares for the challenging match.

The quarterfinal matches will not only highlight rising talents but also demonstrate the skills of veteran players seeking to make their mark in Dubai. As the tournament progresses, all eyes remain on these exciting matchups as fans anticipate thrilling performances.