The marathon that is the February tennis match is coming to an end. And it will come out fast, as this week’s schedule includes tournaments of 500 points (Dubai, Acapulco) in addition to ATP 250 (Santiago). Among the stars who entered the court are Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, and Casper Ruud.
Let’s break down a busy week ahead on the ATP Tour.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
WhereLocation: Dubai, UAE
The face: It’s difficult
Points: 500
Prize money: $3,311,005
Top seeds: Felix Auger-Aliassime
The defending champion: Stefanos Tsitsipas
Draw an analysis: The second leg of the Middle East swing feels a little different as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner skip Dubai following their appearance in Doha. That puts the title up for grabs, although the field remains largely thanks to Auger-Aliassime, Bublik, Medvedev, Jack Draper, Andrey Rublev, and Jakub Mensik. Draper played for Great Britain in the Davis Cup rubber earlier this month but this marks his first tournament since last summer’s US Open. The left-hander played to a draw before facing either Rublev or Tsitsipas – the defending champion – in the quarterfinals. Bublik, Mensik, Ugo Humbert, Hubert Hurkacz, and Tallon Griekspoor also find themselves in the strong lower part of the bracket. At the top of the rankings, Auger-Aliassime could meet Doha runner-up Arthur Fils in the last eight and either Medvedev or Khachanov in the semis.
It’s hot: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Jakub Mensik
It’s cold: Jack Draper, Alexei Popyrin, Jan-Lennard Struff, Valentin Royer, Alexander Shevchenko, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Forecasts for the last quarter: Denis Shapovalov over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Karen Khachanov over Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev over Arthur Rinderknech, and Alexander Bublik over Jakub Mensik
Semi-finalist: Khachanov over Shapovalov and Bublik over Rublev
Finally: Bublik over Khachanov
Abierto Mexicano Telcel
WhereLocation: Acapulco, Mexico
The face: It’s difficult
Points: 500
Prize moneyCost: $2,469,450
Top seeds: Alexander Zverev
2025 hero: Tomas Machac (not playing)
Draw an analysis: Acapulco’s depth of field is particularly impressive. Among the undrafted players in this tournament are Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Brandon Nakashima, and Sebastian Korda who ended up in Delray Beach. Zverev’s path to the final is very interesting, although he could meet Grigor Dimitrov or regular foe Cameron Norrie in the quarters. Ruud may not be in great form, but he also has a good chance of reaching the last four this week. Other possible quarterfinal matches De Minaur vs. Valentin Vacherot and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Frances Tiafoe. However, Tiafoe could have a tough opening match on his hands with Nuno Borges and Davidovich could face Korda in the second round.
It’s hot: Alex de Minaur, Valentin Vacherot, Sebastian Korda, Eliot Spizzirri, Rafael Jodar
It’s cold: Flavio Cobolli, Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Daniel Altmaier, Mattia Bellucci, Terence Atmane
Forecasts for the last quarter: Alexander Zverev over Grigor Dimitrov, Casper Ruud over Flavio Cobolli, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina over Nuno Borges, Alex de Minaur over Valentin Vacherot
Semi-finalist: Zverev over Ruud and De Minaur over Davidovich Fokina
Finally: De Minaur over Zverev
BCI Seguros Chile Open
Where: Santiago, Chile
The face: Clay
Points: 250
Prize moneyPrice: $700,045
Top seeds: Francisco Cerundolo
2025 hero: Laslo Djere (not playing)
Draw an analysis: There was a massacre all week in Rio de Janeiro, so who knows what to expect in Santiago? Francisco Cerundolo is a question mark after dealing with a back injury in Rio, while Luciano Darderi and Sebastian Baez bowed out again in the morning. On the bright side, at least it means those three title favorites are resting well for Santiago. Darderi and Baez are on a collision course, but they may be tested by a few successful rivals in Rio. Ignacio Buse and Thiago Agustin will meet in the first round after advancing to the semis and quarters in Rio, respectively. Rio semi-finalist Vit Kopriva could be Darderi’s opponent in the second round. A similarly well-rounded top bracket includes Cerundolo, Matteo Berrettini, Alejandro Tabilo, and Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
It’s hot: Sebastian Baez, Francisco Comesana, Camilo Ugo Carabelli
It’s cold: Alejandro Tabilo, Nicolas Jarry, Cristian Garin, Damir Dzumhir, Thiago Seyboth Wild
Forecasts for the last quarter: Matteo Berrettini over Francisco Cerundolo, Nicolas Jarry over Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Sebastian Baez over Thiago Agustin Tirante, and Luciano Darderi over Francisco Comesana
Semi-finalist: Darderi over Baez and Berrettini over Jarry
Finally: Darderi over Berrettini
