Dubai Draw 2019: Federer To Face Kohlschreiber
The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships draw has just taken place and Roger will face off against fellow veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber in Round 1.
The Swiss is making a return to the Aviation Club after missing last years event due to his contract expiring and he heads in the number 2 seed behind Kei Nishikori. You can see his projected opponents below.
Federer's Projected Opponents
- Round 1: Philipp Kohslchreiber
- Round 2: Fernando Verdasco / Qualifier
- Quarter Finals: Milos Raonic
- Semi Finals: Karen Kachanov / Borna Coric / Roberto Bautista Agut
- Finals: Kei Nishikori
Thoughts on the Draw
First up is longtime friend and the man Roger practised with yesterday, Philipp Kohlschreiber. They've played each other 13 times over the years and Kohlschreiber is yet to get a win.
The German is 33 in the world at the moment and he's had an average start to the year, playing ok in Auckland but hasn't won a match at his last two tournaments in Marseille and Rotterdam respectively.
On his day he can produce some of the most eye-catching tennis on tour and he's run Roger close a few times so it could be an interesting one. Roger's last match in Australia was hardly a confidence booster so I'm eager to see how he starts his campaign, is it a cagey affair or can he hit the ground running?
Should Roger win his opening match then round 2 is then either Verdasco or a qualifier. Like Kohli, Fiasco has never beaten Federer and has won just one set in their six meetings. He too has all the shots but I'm not sure he really has it in him to beat Roger should they meet.
Into the quarterfinals and Milos Raonic is the top seed in that quarter. I was sceptical of Raonic's form heading into the season but he impressed at the Australian Open making the quarterfinals. Fed leads the H2H here 11-3 and as long as he looks after his own serve then it's usually more than enough but in best of 3 with the lottery of tiebreaks, it won't be easy.
As for the semi-finals, Khachanov is the top seed but he's had a rough start to the year losing in the first round of his last two tournaments in what looks like the stereotypical let down after ending the year in style winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Paris.
Coric and Bautista Agut are the other names that stand out in this half. Agut is the defending champion and started the year strongly in Melbourne but he's had some sort of injury post-Australia. That saw him withdraw in Sofia and skip Rotterdam all together so there are question marks. Coric hasn't looked in great form, losing to Humbert in Marseille so should Roger make the semifinals he'll likely be the favourite whoever else makes it.
For the final Nishikori is the top seed in the other half but he also has Medvedev, Cilic and Tsitsipas to deal with. Kei has made a nice start to the year and I watched his match against Stan in Rotterdam which was a very high quality affair. I make him the favourite to make the final but you could pick any one of those for guys really and if the courts playing quickly Medvedev will like his chances.
Expectations for Fed? None other than playing aggressively and trying to take the game to all comers. Let's see how far he can go.
What are your thoughts on the draw? Let me know in the comments.
Première ?
?
On paper, looks decent draw and by right smooth sailing till quarters however stranger things has happened of late. I hope Roger at least reach the semis or final. Missed him so much, just happen to watch him back on court.
Yeah seems like ages since he last played. The February lull.
Deuxième.
C’est faisable – voyons où il en est lorsqu’on commence à jouer.
Oooof! Troisième!!!
Also interested to see where Tsitsipas’ form is- I would think he’s one of the ones who could make the final from the top half if things are firing.
Yeah if he’s not feeling anything from Marseille. Might watch some of that now, prob be a title for him unless Kukushkin has a good day.
Finally some tennis ! It’s been a long time . I can’t wait to Watch him play
Yeah far too long
A doable draw. Shame Fed has to play Kohl so early. Just hoping to see his attacking tennis on the faster court.
I’m wondering if Murli is going? (…been while no rhyme on the blog!)
Yeah he could be, 5-hour drive so easy enough…
Reposting from Madrid thread
Jonathan still awaiting your post about Roger’s outfit for Dubai. Will they be same as Australia ?
I think he will wear same as in AO. That was the usual way with Nike. Dunno if Uniqlo will be different…
An interesting draw,prefer it to Nishikoris.Verdasco is a threat I think,he often plays one brilliant match in a tournament.I read somewhere that Thor was trying out a new racket so perhaps that explains his rather disappointing results recently,he will be a threat if he gets his act together.Is RBA in Feds half?Now he is dangerous.
However despite these gloomy thoughts I have a feeling Fed is going to do well?
Yeah RBA is in that half but he withdrew from Rotterdam last week.
Took me a while to work out who Thor was 😀 but he’s moved to Head. Weird move after winning Paris, but $$$ talks.
I need to pay more attention,yes RBA is in Feds half?
I need to set more homework.
Am I asking too much? Wouldn’t it be nice if the ATP site would say when they post a tournament, “Draw available Sat 2pm” or something like that. Instead of, “Draw not available”. Picky, picky me.
Anyway, the draw looks ok. The tournament director must have rigged it somehow. The top half looks far more dangerous.
I wonder if Fed will be wearing the same snowsuit but in forest green?
I just look on the tournament website or Twitter for when the draw is available…
Looks like a good draw for Roger. Hope he can get a good start and get back to winning ways. It’s about time for him and for us to win one.
Ye would be nice to get DU8AI.
Reasonable but tough draw considering he hasnt played and that most of the others have. Stef cld be tired post Marseille and Daniil cld take advantage top half with Kei. Karen struggles on fast counts and yes still not at ease with the new racquet.
Wld love a title but more, I want points and a few good matches under his belt heading into sunshine double.
Ah yeah, I forgot he had switched to Head instead of Wilson. That has to be $$$ only as why change when you just won your first Masters 1000 😀
May this be 100. His adopted second home .
?
Roger often trains in Dubai and lives several weeks a year there. In your opinion, which may be the impact of that on his performances during the tournament ? In which ways, may it be easier to go deeper in the tournament because he knows the training courts by heart, the staff, the environment, the weather conditions ? I wonder…
Other than the conditions and being in a routine/apartment he’s used to I don’t think it makes too much difference.
Assuming he hasn’t practised on the main court?
Yes,I have a feeling about this too.
Have the feeling Roger is going to make a great performance.
Finally some cool tennis.
Hope so 🙂
100, here we come. Semis could be interesting. But i think roger’s flame continues to burn sufficiently brighter.
I think the tournament is a big unknown based on the AO but we shall see.
Go Felix !!!! Youngest player ( will turn 19 yo next Aug 8th) ever in a 500 event final !!!
Ahh, same b-day as Fed?!
Yeah, the new baby Fed.
Interesting article about the court speeds at the ATP 500 events….
https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/52466/acapulco-is-the-slowest-atp-500-hardcourt-event-while-the-fastest/
Ah yeah cool, I might do a post on that or add to my other, rarely see the 500 speeds.
Oleg S.
@AnnaK_4ever
8 August 1981: Roger Federer is born
February 2000 : Roger Federer reaches first ATP final
8 August 2000 : Felix Auger-Aliassime is born
February 2019 : Felix Auger-Aliassime reaches first ATP final
??????
Big win against Cuevas. Might be ahead of schedule if he wins his first title.
Watched highlights. Great mover. Probably a great talent too. BUT: DBH’er and annoying grunter.
Hope that Roger gets off to a good start. Would be nice if he could
get the 100 if only to stop everyone writing about it!
Ah – but then…(101)
Roger’s state of mind in Dubai…
https://gulfnews.com/amp/sport/tennis/deuce-report-roger-federer-starts-dubai-trip-on-a-high-1.62273150?__twitter_impression=true
On the upcoming tournament, Federer said: “I’m very excited, aiming for a number 100, this would be very special, it would be very special to win it anywhere but also in Dubai where I’ve enjoyed so much success. I feel really good, the year has been good. I’m ready to go again, I’m feeling energised, I feel fresh, I’m ready to go.”
Just typical PR nonsense talk 😀
This year has been good? Erm you lost 4th round and were 0/12 on break points. Ok mate!
Well,I guess he has to talk the talk,even if it is rubbish?
But he played quite well, until he lost?
Belinda won the WTA Dubai ? – A good omen?
That was a great win for her.
The site won’t let me reply to the appropriate post, so will put this here. I am a huge Felix fan, and think he has an excellent chance to win the Rio title today.
Felix admired Fed, Tsonga and Monfils, and of course was very excited when he and his team got to practice with Fed a while ago.
He is a terrific young player who is also intelligent and charming, along with being articulate in both French and English.
Why won’t it let you reply?
Yes,that may well be?
That reply was to Muser.I must have pressed the wrong button(again)
Raonic and Khachanov out.
Fed did beat Kohli in 3 sets. The wind caused problems for both players, although both still made some terrific shots. But Fed pretty well ran away with the decider.
With Raonic and Khachanov both out, Fed’s route to the final got a bit easier. He will face Verdasco next.
Verdasco is a bit unpredictable, yes? But Fed has still best chance, yes?
Yupeeee ! Next : an old man again, Verdasco… Go champion !
Well I wouldn’t write Verdasco off but we shall see.