The tennis tournament located in Dubai has a long history of producing high quality tennis. With a champion’s board that has names like Federer, Djokovic, Roddick and Nadal, this tournament is one of the toughest to win. Staying true to its history, the 2017 edition of this tournament will feature a field that has both Roger Federer and Andy Murray. For two men that could not have had more differing experiences at the Australian Open, this event will prove crucial to both in different ways.
Federer will look to continue his rich form
When Federer arrived to the Australian Open, he was ranked seventeenth in the world and no one considered him a viable threat to win the tournament.
By the time the tournament ended, he was back inside the top ten and had won his eighteenth major. It’s funny how quickly things can change with one result. With an improved backhand and commitment to end points more quickly, Federer appears even more dangerous than ever. The fast hardcourts of the Dubai tournament have always treated Federer well. A winner of the event seven times, the Swiss is looking to further extend his rich form. The draw was not necessarily kind to the Swiss as he begins his campaign against the talented yet inconsistent Frenchman, Benoit Paire. Federer is slated to play top-seeded Andy Murray in the semi-finals which would be a great barometer for the Swiss heading into the Indian Wells event.
Murray is looking to reassert his dominance
After a rather disappointing effort at the Australian Open, world number 1, Andy Murray is looking to get over that unexpected bump in the road. Although he has never won this tournament, he did reach the final in 2012, losing to Federer. While the Scott is more comfortable on slower surfaces, the fast courts of Dubai help his game style by allowing him to hit through the court more easily.
Murray has made a conscious effort to hit the ball more aggressively, which is one of the reasons he was able to assume the top spot to begin with.
Murray has a rather straightforward draw, as he beings his campaign against Malek Jaziri. Jaziri is very consistent off of the ground which will allow Murray to gain a lot of rhythm heading into a potential semi-final against Federer.
Other noted players in the event are defending champion Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and the always entertaining Frenchman, Gael Monfils. If form holds up, championship weekend could be quite exciting.
