2021 Dubai Tennis Championships Semi-Final – Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

Where is Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev taking place? Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, UAE

When is Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev on and what time does it start? Friday 19^th March, 2021 – not before 15:00 (UK)

What surface is Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev being played on? Hard (outdoor)

Where can I get tickets for Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev? No tickets are available as this event will be held behind closed doors

What channel is Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev on? This match will not be televised live in the UK

Where can I stream Aslan Karatsev vs Andrey Rublev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live

THE PREDICTION

World number 42 Aslan Karatsev has proven his Australian Open semi-final miracle run was no one-off after reaching the semi-final at the Dubai Open via a tough and tetchy quarter-final match with Jannik Sinner. The 27-year-old has come back from a set down in back-to-back matches here and has played three sets in each of his last three wins over three seeds in Sinner, Lorenzo Sonego and Dan Evans. Karatsev to face Andrey Rublev for a first time on tour will be an enthralling watch on Friday afternoon, especially as the two won the Qatar Open Men’s Doubles title together just a week ago. World number eight Rublev continued his dominance of ATP 500 events to win his 23^rd straight match at this level in straight sets over Marton Fucsovics and will be the favourite coming into this. However, Karatsev has consistently performed this season as the underdog as the tennis world continues to wait for his meteoric rise to stutter. Beating Rublev here would be his greatest achievement to date and it does feel like a decider will be needed between the two Russians. Take this to go to three sets and then consider leaving it there, though Rublev is an immovable object at these ATP 500s and he should scrape through here.