ATP Dubai Open 2021: Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin – Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

ATP Dubai Open 2021: Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin – Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

Karen Khachanov will take on Alexei Popyrin in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Khachanov is currently the World no.22 on the ATP rankings while Popyrin is the World no.86.

Match Details:

  • Date: 16th March 2021
  • Tournament: Dubai Open
  • Fixture: Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin
  • Round: Second Round
  • Venue: Dubai
  • Category:  ATP 500
  • Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
  • Prize Money: $33,495

Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin: Preview

Karen Khachanov
Karen Khachanov

Russian Karen Khachanov has been in decent form this season. He will be kicking himself after losing in the quarter finals of the 2021 Marseille Open against Matthew Ebden after he had already won the first set.

He reached the 3rd round of the Australian Open, quarter-finals at Rotterdam and quarter-finals again at Marseille. He had been building a lot of momentum and gaining confidence lately, but one would have not expected him to lose against the world no.287 in a quarter final match.

His opponent, Australian Alexei Popyrin has been in amazing form lately. He won his first ATP title 2 weeks back in Singapore. Having been a promising talent for quite a while, he finally showed his capabilities in Singapore.

He received a wild card entry in Dubai and defeated Austrian Dennis Novak in the first round 7-6(3),7-5.

Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin: Head-to-Head

Alexei Popyrin

This will be the first meeting between the duo. They will face each other for the first time so the H2H stands at 0-0 deadlock.

Karen Khachanov vs Alexei Popyrin: Prediction

Karen Khachanov

Given on current form, Popyrin will be a tough opponent for Khachanov. The Australian is fresh from a title win and will be excited to pull off something similar against the Russian.

As for Khachanov, he lives in Dubai and trains on these courts for most of his off season. He loves these conditions, and expect him to have a good week if he continues to build on the momentum he has gained over the last few weeks. 

Prediction: Khachanov to win in three sets.

Also Read: ATP Dubai Open 2021: Denis Shapovalov vs Jan-Lennard Struff – Preview, Head to Head and Prediction