As the February tennis swing wraps up, the action is set to heat up with a pair of high-stakes 500-point tournaments in Dubai and Acapulco, alongside an ATP 250 event in Santiago. Fans can look forward to watching stars like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, and Casper Ruud take the court. Let’s dive into the week’s matchups and what we can expect from these exciting tournaments.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Location: Dubai, U.A.E.
Surface: Hard
Points: 500
Prize Money: $3,311,005
Top Seed: Felix Auger-Aliassime
Defending Champion: Stefanos Tsitsipas
The absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner means the Dubai title is wide open, but the competition remains fierce. Felix Auger-Aliassime leads a strong lineup, including Bublik, Medvedev, Jack Draper, Andrey Rublev, and Jakub Mensik.
Draper, returning after a Davis Cup appearance, has a promising draw but could face Rublev or defending champion Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals. The bottom half of the bracket is loaded with talents like Bublik, Mensik, and Hubert Hurkacz.
Auger-Aliassime might clash with Doha runner-up Arthur Fils in the quarters, with potential semis against Medvedev or Khachanov.
Players to Watch:
- Hot: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Jakub Mensik
- Cold: Jack Draper, Alexei Popyrin, Jan-Lennard Struff
Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Location: Acapulco, Mexico
Surface: Hard
Points: 500
Prize Money: $2,469,450
Top Seed: Alexander Zverev
2025 Champion: Tomas Machac (not playing)
Acapulco boasts an impressive field, with unseeded players like Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, and Sebastian Korda adding depth. Zverev has a favorable path to the final but could face Dimitrov or Cameron Norrie in the quarters.
Despite Ruud's recent struggles, he has a solid chance to reach the semis. Potential quarterfinal showdowns include De Minaur vs.
Valentin Vacherot and Davidovich Fokina vs. Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe’s opener against Nuno Borges and Davidovich’s potential clash with Korda promise early excitement.
Players to Watch:
- Hot: Alex de Minaur, Valentin Vacherot, Sebastian Korda
- Cold: Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Daniel Altmaier
Predictions:
- Quarterfinals: Zverev over Dimitrov, Ruud over Cobolli, Davidovich Fokina over Borges, De Minaur over Vacherot
- Semifinals: Zverev over Ruud, De Minaur over Davidovich Fokina
- Final: De Minaur over Zverev
BCI Seguros Chile Open
Location: Santiago, Chile
Surface: Clay
Points: 250
Prize Money: $700,045
Top Seed: Francisco Cerundolo
2025 Champion: Laslo Djere (not playing)
After a turbulent week in Rio, Santiago presents a fresh opportunity. Francisco Cerundolo is a wildcard due to a recent back injury, while Luciano Darderi and Sebastian Baez are eager to rebound.
Darderi and Baez could meet in the semis, but face challenges from players who thrived in Rio, like Ignacio Buse and Thiago Agustin. The top half includes Cerundolo, Matteo Berrettini, and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, promising a competitive slate.
With top-tier talent and intriguing matchups, this week on the ATP Tour promises to deliver thrilling tennis and plenty of drama. Keep an eye on these tournaments as the players battle for crucial points and prestigious titles.