'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fresh from successfully defending the Marseille Open title on Sunday, World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas will look to carry his sterling form into this week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that began on Monday. The Greek ace didn't drop a set all week in Marseille before defeating the talented World No. 18 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
The much-needed victory came after a month of struggles for the 21-year-old. Since winning his biggest career title at the ATP Finals in November, Tsitsipas hadn't been able to replicate those efforts in any tournament prior to the Marseille Open.
He suffered four losses in eight matches spread over three tournaments, with his biggest disappointment coming at the Australian Open. One year after reaching the semifinals, Tsitsipas could only manage to make it to the third round of the year's first Major.
But with four clinical straight-set wins under his belt, Tsitsipas should be riding high on confidence. He would now be eager to start his challenge at a tournament where he finished as the runner-up to Roger Federer last year.
This time Tsitsipas has been seeded second at the ATP 500 tournament, the draw of which is headed by none other than World No. 1 and four-time champion Novak Djokovic. Tsitsipas would need to be at his flawless best if he wants to go one step further this time and lay his hands on the trophy.
First up for him is World No. 27 Pablo Carreno Busta. The Greek star has a 1-0 head-to-head record over Carreno Busta, having defeated the Spaniard on the claycourts of Barcelona two years ago.
Even though that should make Tsitsipas the favorite in this clash, it has to be noted that Carreno Busta did reach the semi-finals on the indoor hardcourts of Rotterdam earlier this month, where he produced three gritty wins in three sets. He has the tenacity and the stamina needed to grind it out, and Tsitsipas would have to avoid getting into too many long rallies if he hopes to come away with the win.
Here's all you need to know about the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships 2020 Schedule:
Tournament: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2020
Category: ATP 500
City: Dubai, UAE
Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Centre
Prize money: $2,950,420
Tournament schedule: 24 February 24 - 29 February, 2020
Defending champion: Roger Federer
Match Schedule: (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Pablo Carreno Busta first round match, not before 8:30 pm IST on Tuesday, 25 February 2020.
Where to watch the matches in India?
The ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2020 matches are being telecast live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD from Monday, 24 February 2020.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships live stream details
Live stream is available on Sony Liv.
