Reigning champion Daniil Medvedev made a successful return to the court with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Medvedev, the top-seeded Russian, had withdrawn from two recent tournaments due to fatigue and a right foot injury, marking his first on-court appearance since the Australian Open final.
The victory propels Medvedev into a second-round clash against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, who secured a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 win over Sumit Nagal of India.
In other notable results, fourth-seeded Karen Khachanov dominated Frenchman Luca Van Assche with a 6-2, 6-3 win, while fifth-seeded Ugo Humbert of France battled past compatriot Gael Monfils with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. Eighth-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain claimed a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 triumph over Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.
Luciano Darderi’s Dramatic Victory Highlights Movistar Chile Open
Italy’s Luciano Darderi emerged victorious in a thrilling contest at the Movistar Chile Open, defeating Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5) in a marathon match lasting 3 hours and 19 minutes. Both players broke serve only once, with Darderi eventually securing the win in the third-set tiebreaker.
Argentine qualifier Juan Manuel Cerundolo caused an upset by defeating fifth-seeded Yannick Hanfmann of Germany 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Eighth-seeded Jaume Munar delivered a commanding performance, beating Spanish compatriot Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-1.
In an all-Chilean clash, Tomas Barrios Vera emerged victorious against Cristian Garin with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 scoreline. Other first-round winners included Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina, Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru, Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain, and Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild.
Altmaier Stuns Zverev; Tiafoe Rallies at Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Daniel Altmaier pulled off a major upset at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel by defeating top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in an all-German first-round match. Altmaier’s resilience and a decisive break in the third set led to his victory, eliminating the 2021 Acapulco champion.
Eighth-seeded Frances Tiafoe staged a comeback, rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Australia’s Max Purcell. Despite statistical advantages for Purcell, Tiafoe showcased resilience in crucial moments.
Other notable results include second-seeded Holger Rune’s dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over U.S. qualifier Michael Mmoh and fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas’ 6-3, 6-4 win against Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Sixth-seeded Casper Ruud edged past Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Aleksandar Kovacevic, a U.S. qualifier, eliminated Jordan Thompson 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while Dusan Lajovic cruised past Mexican wild card Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez 6-2, 6-2.
