Russian Daniil Medvedev made it to California after safety delays in Dubai. He will face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday. France’s Ugo Humbert will also be in action against American Alex Michelsen.
(11) Daniil Medvedev vs. Alejandro Tabilo
Dubai champion Daniil Medvedev has only just managed to make his way to the California desert after getting stuck in Dubai this week due to ongoing strikes from Iran. The Russian won the Dubai tournament for a second time, making it the first time he’s ever won the same event twice (2023, 2026). That was followed by a grueling travel experience, which he described as resembling a “Hollywood movie.” It included a seven-hour drive to Oman and a lost passport by his driver.
Ordinarily, Medvedev would be an easy pick in this one. Alejandro Tabilo has seen his much of his success come on clay, although his only two titles have come on hard courts. Tabilo dismantled wild card Rafael Jodar in the first round, but the young Spaniard was so far off his game that it’s hard to tell whether the beatdown had anything to do with Tabilo’s form. Despite the travel woes, Medvedev should still advance to the third round.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 2
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
(32) Ugo Humbert vs. Alex Michelsen
France’s Ugo Humbert also played in Dubai last week, but he lost in the second round to Andrey Rublev and got out of Dubai before its airspace closed. Humbert has had streaky results this year so far. He made the final in Adelaide and the semis in Rotterdam, but lost early everywhere else. He just managed to snag the No. 32 seed, but he runs straight into a tough opponent in Alex Michelsen.
Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open
The American doesn’t have impressive results in 2026, but he hasn’t been playing poorly. He lost to Sebastian Korda in the second round in Delray Beach, who went on to win the event. Betting odds give Humbert the slight edge, but I’m going with Michelsen.
Cheryl pick: Michelsen in 3
Ricky pick: Michelsen in 3
