2021 Dubai Tennis Championships Final – Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev taking place? Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, UAE
When is Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev on and what time does it start? Friday 19th March, 2021 – not before 15:00 (UK)
What surface is Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev being played on? Hard (outdoor)
Where can I get tickets for Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev? No tickets are available as this event will be held behind closed doors
What channel is Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Lloyd Harris vs Aslan Karatsev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live
THE PREDICTION
In many ways Aslan Karatsev has already played the final of the Dubai Open by beating world number eight Andrey Rublev and thus breaking the 23-year-old’s incredible streak at ATP 500s. Rublev had won 23 games in a row at this level, behind only Roger Federer’s record in that regard, and the recent Rotterdam Open champion looked like winning their semi-final match for much of the process. What Rublev and many other players have failed to beat this season is the total iron will that Aslan Karatsev has suddenly found. He has won his last four matches in Dubai via a deciding set by sheer will and will face world number 81 Lloyd Harris as the favourite this campaign for possibly the first time in his recent career. 24-year-old Harris lasted a three-set encounter with highlights-reel enthusiast Denis Shapovalov to win a deciding tiebreak with real maturity and this final is wide open on paper. In their first meeting, three sets seems a given between two unfancied finalists who have each played the underdog for most of the week. Either player will win a first ever ATP title here and that is something to celebrate, particularly in 27-year-old Karatsev’s case. The current world number 42 looked destined for a life in tennis obscurity before his incredible Australian Open breakthrough last month and if he can hold his nerve, as he has done so throughout this season so far, he can overcome Lloyd Harris’ honest work ethic in three sets.
