Arthur Fils is set for a rapid return to action after his recent performances in Dubai, where he will face Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday. Meanwhile, third seed Daniil Medvedev will begin his campaign against Jerry Shang in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The encounter between Medvedev and Shang marks their second meeting in consecutive weeks after they clashed in Doha, where Medvedev secured a comfortable victory with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Despite this setback, the 11th-ranked Russian player has struggled to maintain momentum in 2026. After an impressive start to the year, including eight consecutive wins and a title in Brisbane, Medvedev experienced a disappointing fourth-round exit at the Australian Open against Learner Tien. His current record stands at just 1-3 in his last four matches, with defeats to Ugo Humbert in Rotterdam and Stefanos Tsitsipas in Doha. Nevertheless, the conditions in Dubai are expected to closely resemble those in Doha, giving a strong advantage to Medvedev against the 21-year-old Shang, who is also out of form.
On the other hand, Fils and Lehecka’s matchup is a rematch from last week’s quarterfinal in Doha, where Fils triumphed with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory on his way to the final. In their overall head-to-head, Fils leads 2-1. His previous victories include a hard-fought win in a 2024 Davis Cup rubber and a match at the Toronto Masters. However, rest could play a significant role in the outcome; Fils will have only two days off after falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the Doha final, while Lehecka, who is ranked 24th, has had a longer break since his last match. Lehecka is known for his solid performances in the Middle East, setting the stage for what could be a very competitive match.
As the first round of the tournament unfolds, anticipation builds for these exciting matchups, showcasing both emerging talents and seasoned players in thrilling contests.