ATP Dubai: Zhang Zhizhen falls to top seed Aliassime, Shang Juncheng secures first doubles win

On February 23 local time, the 2026 ATP 500 Dubai tournament began its main draw matches. Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen, granted entry through a protected ranking, took the court first against the event's top seed and world No.7 Aliassime. Ultimately, Zhang lost in straight sets 3-6, 6-7(4) after a hard-fought contest.

Zhang Zhizhen Photo: Visual China

In their previous two encounters, Zhang Zhizhen and Aliassime each claimed one victory, with Aliassime winning in straight sets at this season’s United Cup. In this match, both players fought fiercely from the first game, with Aliassime breaking serve after five deuces. In the eighth game of the first set, Zhang missed a 40-0 lead and four break points, failing to break back, and lost the set 3-6. In the second set, both held serve through 12 games, with Zhang saving five match points in the 10th and 12th games. In the tiebreak, Aliassime capitalized on his chances to win 7-6(4) and take the match.

In other matches, Wawrinka defeated Lebanese wildcard Hassan 7-5, 6-3, with Swiss legend Federer attending the match in person. French player Pericard battled for 2 hours and 35 minutes to narrowly overcome Tunisian wildcard Essegui 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 7-6(4), advancing to the second round.

Shang Juncheng Photo: Li Jianyi

In the men’s doubles first round, Chinese player Shang Juncheng partnered with Bublyk to save four match points in a deciding match tiebreak, defeating the wildcard duo He Chengrui/Jebens 4-6, 6-4, 12-10. The opponents had recently reached the final at the ATP 500 Rotterdam after coming through qualifying, showing strong form. This marks Shang Juncheng’s first ATP Tour main draw doubles victory (previously 0-4). Their second-round opponents will be decided between the tournament’s 3rd seeds Heliovaara/Paatelainen and Bambridge/Joransson.

In other men’s doubles matches, second seeds Arevalo/Pavic beat Arends/Arneodo 7-5, 6-4; Nys/Rikl defeated Griekspoor/Lindgren 6-3, 6-2; and Cabral/Middelkoop came from behind to win 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 against lucky loser pairing Dzevitski/Matusevski, all advancing past the first round.

Full schedule for ATP Dubai on February 24

On February 24, all remaining first-round men’s singles matches at the ATP Dubai will take place. Chinese player Shang Juncheng will make his singles debut at 18:00 Beijing time, facing the tournament’s 3rd seed Medvedev. Coincidentally, the two met last week in the first round of the ATP Doha, where Medvedev won in straight sets. Will Shang Juncheng manage to avenge that loss? Let’s watch closely. Additionally, defending champion Tsitsipas, second seed Bublyk, and fifth seed Rublev will also start their campaigns on the center court.

(Written and edited by: Dato)