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The 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships is a great tournament for players to improve their form. The hard court tournament in the Middle East offers 500 points, a perfect ground for many to test their abilities. On this note, it is Andy Murray who will play against Ugo Humbert in the second round of the championship. 

Both Murray and Humbert need the win to gain confidence for the following season. While they have stumbled many times, they have also shown good potential. However, their confidence could use a major boost in Dubai.

Andy Murray vs Ugo Humbert: Preview

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Murray did not have the start he needed for the 2024 season. He began the year with a first-round exit in the Brisbane International. His situation would not improve. He would lose in the first round of the Australian Open, Open Sud De France and the Open 13. He would catch a break in the Qatar Open, winning his first match of 2024 but eventually losing his round 2 clash.

The former number 1 won his opening round clash in the Dubai Open against Denis Shapovalov in three sets and now has a chance to go ahead as he will face Humbert.  

via Getty

Ugo Humbert has had a different track to his 2024 than Murray. He was injured during the Brisbane International, forcing him to withdraw in the second round. In the Australian Open, he advanced to the third round before losing in four sets. He turned his fortunes around at the Open 13 and won his fifth ATP title, boosting his form.

He was unable to continue his run at the Rotterdam Open and the Qatar Open. At the Dubai Championships, Humbert beat Gael Monfils in the first round and will now face Murray as another challenge.

Murray vs Humbert: Head-to-Head

Murray and Humbert have played against each other twice on the ATP Tour. They first met in the 2019 European Open, held in Antwerp, Belgium. Their semifinal clash saw Humbert gain an edge over the Briton in the first set, but Murray showed why he used to contend among the biggest stars of the sport. He would seal a comeback for the scoreboard to read 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

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They would then meet two years later in the Metz Open, where Humbert again won the first set, aiming for vengeance. However, Murray would once again clinch the match with a comeback and shut down Humbert in a dominant display. The score read 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Humbert’s favor.

Prediction: Humbert to go ahead in Dubai

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Murray’s performance has been declining since 2023, and he has found it difficult to gain a solid grip on the court in a long time. Humbert, on the other hand, has only improved and even won a title this year. The Frenchman has a much higher chance of shutting down the Briton than the result being the other way around.  

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