Dubai Tennis Championships 2023: Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (2) Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic

Date: February 27, 2023

Tournament: Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Round: Semifinals

Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai

Category: ATP 500

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize money: $3,020,535

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

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Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic preview

The opening round of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships will have two powerful seasoned campaigners — Andrey Rublev and Filip Krajinovic — lock horns in an exciting contest on Monday.

Rublev, the second seed at this year's tournament, opened his season with back-to-back early exits in Adelaide International 1 and 2. The Russian steadied his form at the Australian Open — reaching the quarterfinals. He has, however, gone 1-2 in terms of win-loss since the season's first Slam and will be keen on defending his crown from last year.

Krajinovic has had an average start to the year.

Krajinovic, meanwhile, has had an average start to the year. While he reached the quarterfinals at the season-opening Maharashtra Open, the Serb has since suffered early exits in Melbourne, the Open Sud de France and Open 13.

Krajinovic plays an aggressive brand of tennis and has a great backhand at his disposal. He enjoys playing on the quick courts and could ask a few questions of the second seed.

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Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic head-to-head

Krajinovic leads Rublev in their current head-to-head 3-2. The Serb also won the duo's latest meeting, which came on the clay courts of Rome last year.

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Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets
Andrey Rublev	-500	-1.5 (-155)
Filip Krajinovic	+340	+1.5 (+110)

(Odds sourced from BetMGM)

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Andrey Rublev vs Filip Krajinovic prediction

Rublev suffered a surprise loss to Jiri Lehecka in Doha.

Following the surprise loss to Jiri Lehecka in Doha, Andrey Rublev will be raring to rediscover lost form. The Russian possesses a power-packed baseline-oriented game that has come alive on the quick Dubai harcourts. He will step out looking to take control of the rallies.

Krajinovic, for his part, also likes to take the ball early and has a big weapon at his disposal in the form of his backhand. The Serb also fared well in his past contest against Rublev and will draw confidence from the same.

That said, the Russian does remain the stronger player off the ground. He will need to be prepared for some variety coming his way from the other end of the court, but if Rublev can stay patient and wait for his chances, he should find himself in a commanding position.

Prediction: Rublev to win in three sets