The Dubai Tennis Championships is an ATP 500 event held in the first half of the tennis season. While it is a 500 event, many players at the top of the table aspire to win it. Gael Monfils will play against Ugo Humbert in their first-round clash. Both Frenchmen will kickstart their Dubai campaign against each other. The victor will move on to fight harder for the title. 

The tournament began as an ATP 250 event in 1993 but is now at an ATP 500 level. Now, players have a better reason to fight harder to win the championship, which we are bound to see in both players.

Gael Monfils vs. Ugo Humbert: Preview

Monfils began his 2024 season in the ASB Classics, where he was ousted in the first round. He followed it up with a first-round win in the Australian Open. Monfils then flew to his home country to play in the Open Sud De France but lost in the first round once again. The ATP Rotterdam wouldn’t show much success, as he lost in the second round.

Monfils changed his luck in the Qatar Open. He was ruthless against each player he fought and managed to run all the way to the semifinal of the tournament. 

Ugo Humbert has had a somewhat similar 2024 to Monfils. He found himself injured in the Brisbane International as he exited the second round. In the Australian Open, he ran till the third round and lost in four sets. He turned his luck around in the Open 13 and won his fifth ATP title. He couldn’t manage to continue his run in the Rotterdam Open or the Qatar Open but aims to turn it around in Dubai. 

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Monfils vs. Humbert: Head-to-Head

Humbert and Monfils have played against each other three times on the ATP Tour. Their first clash took place in the 2019 Wimbledon. Both Frenchmen fought each other point for point, and the match went to five sets. With Humbert in the lead, Monfils retired due to an injury. They would then play each other in the 2023 Miami Open, where Monfils withdrew once again after 3-3.

They played their first full match a few weeks ago in Doha. Monfils would prove to be the dominating force as he shut down Humbert in a 6-2, 6-4 clash. Now, they will play again and will fight a match in proper form. 

Prediction: Monfils to equalize their head-to-head

While Monfils has not had the same success Humbert experienced in 2024, he is currently on a roll that will help him be triumphant. Additionally, the conditions in Dubai favor Monfils more as he is a defensive player who uses offensive strategies to surprise his opponents. He is set to win their clash and move ahead for a great stint in Dubai.

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