Ahead of the start of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships men’s competition today, here is a look at five matches to watch in the first round.
Roger Federer (2) v Mikhail Youzhny
Roger Federer goes up against Mikhail Youzhny, the man he beat in the 2007 Dubai final as well as on three other occasions at the event. Federer should progress but how he fares in his first action since his Australian Open exit will be fascinating.
Andy Murray (3) v Gilles Muller
World No 4 Andy Murray, right, making his first appearance in Dubai since reaching the 2012 final, goes up against Gilles Muller, who he has beaten in both their ATP Tour encounters.
David Goffin (8) v Marcos Baghdatis
Belgian David Goffin is seeded eighth in Dubai but will not have been thrilled to be have paired with the wild card Marcos Baghdatis, right. The Cypriot, who reached the Australian Open final in 2006, is capable of brilliance on his day.
Roberto Bautista Agut (7) v Dominic Thiem
The Austrian Dominic Thiem, right, moved up 103 places in the rankings last year to be world No 36 and has a strong all-court game to push Roberto Bautista Agut, the world No 16.
Richard Gasquet v Andreas Seppi
An intriguing match-up between two unseeded players. Richard Gasquet, right, won in Montpellier this month, but he comes up against Andreas Seppi, who shocked Federer at Melbourne.
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