Until yesterday, almost everyone felt the final of the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships would be a repeat of the tournament’s 2023 edition. Daniil Medvedev versus Andrey Rublev. But instead of repeat finalists, 2024 has seen brand new ones in Alexander Bublik and Ugo Humbert. This just means that we are guaranteed a new champion! While Humbert extended his head-to-head advantage against Medvedev, Bublik reached the finals after Rublev was surprisingly defaulted. With the final showdown set, here’s everything you need to know.

Alexander Bublik vs Ugo Humbert: Preview

Bublik began his 2024 campaign at the Adelaide International, where he advanced to the semifinals before being defeated by Jack Draper in a close two-setter. In his opening-round match at the Australian Open, he lost to Sumit Nagal in straight sets. He finished his next tournament with a complete reversal, winning the Open Sud De France, overcoming Borna Coric in three sets. However, the Kazakh could not reproduce his success at the ATP Rotterdam and Qatar Open, where he was eliminated in the second round of both events.

In the Dubai Championships, Bublik came from a set down in the first round to win the opening-round clash against Tomas Machac, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6. He won his next match in a challenging two-set win against Tallon Griekspoor, 7-6, 7-6. In the quarterfinals, he progressed to the semis after Jiri Lehecka retired in the second set when the score read 6-4, 4-1 in Bublik’s favor. The semifinal match against Rublev had a similar outcome, where the Kazakh reached the championship game when the Russian was defaulted for seemingly swearing at a linesman.

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Humbert began 2024 with a second-round loss at the Brisbane International. He advanced to the third round of the Australian Open but was eliminated by Hubert Hurkacz in four sets. However, the Frenchman rebounded with a strong performance at the Open 13, claiming his fifth ATP title. He followed it up with two subpar performances at the ATP Rotterdam and Qatar Open, where he was eliminated in the first and second rounds, respectively.

Humbert won his first two matches in Dubai, defeating compatriot Gael Monfils (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) and Andy Murray (6-2, 6-4). He also took revenge against Hubert Hurkacz for that AO match in the semifinal, coming for a set down to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-3. The Frenchman then beat World No.4 Medvedev 7-6, 6-3 to reach the final, extending his H2H lead to 3-1. 

Bublik and Humbert have both had memorable paths to the finals in Dubai. So, how have they fared against each other in the past?

Bublik vs Humbert: Head-to-Head

Despite both turning pro in 2016, Bublik and Humbert have never played against each other on court. The two stars will play their first match in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, making it an even more special event. But they’ll also have that much more at stake, with both of them looking to draw first blood in the head-to-head. Considering how good their performances have been this past week, we’re all set for a cracker of a match. So, who’ll come out on top? 

Prediction: Humbert to win his first Dubai Championship

Bublik and Humbert have similar game styles – hard-hitting from the baseline and taking every opportunity to come to the net. In the battle between the righty and the lefty, it’s likely that the more consistent player will come out on top. That said, while both players dispatched their rivals with great panache, Humbert may have a better chance of winning in Dubai. He’s defeated his opponents with more efficiency.

However, considering Bublik has been just as much of a dark horse as Humbert, it will be an exciting match to watch, one that could be decided based on the clutch points. There can only be one winner. And now, we sit back and watch it all unfold in Dubai. 

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