First-round action at the Dubai ATP 500 continues on Tuesday, when an intriguing showdown features Ugo Humbert and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Jakub Mensik, who played well in Doha, faces Hubert Hurkacz.
Ugo Humbert vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Humbert and Tsitsipas will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-1 in Humbert’s favor, including 2-1 on outdoor hard courts. They have not faced each other since 2023, when the Frenchman scored a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory at the Shanghai Masters.
Nonetheless, Tsitsipas has to like his chances in Dubai. The 30th-ranked Greek is an outstanding 15-3 lifetime at this tournament with three consecutive trips to the final — including a title last year. He has never lost prior to the quarters in four appearances. Tsitsipas is also playing well so far this season, boasting a 9-4 record. Humbert is just 4-5 in his last nine matches, so this really wouldn’t be an upset even though the lefty is ranked higher.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 3
(6) Jakub Mensik vs. Hubert Hurkacz
By ranking, Mensik picked up the biggest win of his career last week. The 20-year-old Czech upset world No. 2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 in the Doha quarterfinals before losing to Arthur Fils in the semis. Mensik is on a heater to begin the 2026 campaign, sporting an 11-3 record that includes a title in Auckland.
Up next for the world No. 13 on Tuesday is a third contest against Hurkacz, who has won both of their previous encounters — in five sets at the 2024 Australian Open and in a third-set tiebreaker at the 2025 Rome Masters. Mensik could not have come much closer in those two matchups, and this time he should be able to get over the hump. Hurkacz was on fire at the United Cup, but the 73rd-ranked Pole has cooled off in a big way since week one of the season.
Pick: Mensik in 3
