Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhizhen Zhang Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Felix set for opening round win in Dubai

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Sun 22 Feb 2026 22:42

Andrew Hendrie 22 Feb 2026

Share this article

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhizhen Zhang predictions for Monday's ATP Dubai R1
Auger-Aliassime in good form with eight wins from last nine matches
Zhang still working his way back from long-term injury; has 3-14 record vs the top 10
The match is scheduled to start around 2.00am AEDT on Tuesday February 24

Expired

Felix Auger-Aliassime (Photo by Getty Images)

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhizhen Zhang Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime begins his Dubai Tennis Championships title quest when he takes on Zhizhen Zhang in the opening round on Monday.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhizhen Zhang Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Stats & Trends
Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Head To Head
Felix Auger-Aliassime Form Analysis
Zhizhen Zhang Form Analysis
Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Live Stream

Auger-Aliassime has established himself inside the top 10 after a brilliant last 12 months and of course is one of the leading contenders for the Dubai silverware this week. However, with eight of his nine ATP titles coming indoors, the Canadian does have a bit of a point to prove in outdoor conditions and this looks like an opportune week to make his case. Meanwhile, Zhang continues to work his way back following a long injury layoff, with the Chinese player currently sitting outside the world's top 300.

Zhang restored some confidence with a Challenger title in Brisbane earlier this month, but obviously this is a big step up in class. Zhang's never won a match in Dubai and he's got a poor record against the top 10. Auger-Aliassime - who made the Dubai final last year - isn't the most reliable of top 10 players in first round matches, but he should be able to close this out in relatively routine straight sets.

Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Stats & Trends

Auger-Aliassime has won eight of his last nine matches
Seven of those eight wins have been in straight sets
Auger-Aliassime has won four of his last five Dubai matches
Auger-Aliassime has won 15 of his last 16 matches vs players outside the top 50
Six of Auger-Aliassime's last eight wins vs players outside the top 50 have been in straight sets
Zhang has a 3-14 record vs top 10 players
Six of Zhang's last seven defeats vs top 10 players have been in straight sets
Zhang is yet to win a main draw match in Dubai

Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Head To Head

Currently level at 1-1, with Auger-Aliassime winning in straight sets at the start of this season at the United Cup.

Year	Tournament	Round	Surface	Winner	Score
2026	United Cup	Round Robin	Outdoor Hard	Felix Auger-Aliassime	6–4, 6–4
2024	Marseille	Round of 16	Indoor Hard	Zhizhen Zhang	6–4, 6–4

Felix Auger-Aliassime Form Analysis

2026 Record: 9-3
ATP Dubai Record: 5-2
Current Ranking: No. 7
Career-High Ranking: No. 5 (2025)

It wasn't the ideal start to the season for Auger-Aliassime - he only won one match at the United Cup and was forced to retire in the first round of the Australian Open against Nuno Borges.

However, a return indoors kick-started the Canadian's season.

Auger-Aliassime picked up his eighth indoors title in Montpellier, while backed it up with a run to the final in Rotterdam, where he ultimately ran out of steam against Alex de Minaur in the final.

The World No. 8 is hoping to go one step further in Dubai this year after finishing runner-up to Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2025.

Zhizhen Zhang Form Analysis

2026 Record: 3-4
ATP Dubai Record: 0-2
Current Ranking: No. 319
Career-High Ranking: No. 31 (2024)

After missing more than six months with a shoulder injury, Zhang is currently on the long road back in his bid to return to the top 100 and beyond.

Dropping outside the world's top 300, Zhang didn't look 100 per cent fit as he was bounced in the first round of the Australian Open by Fran Cerundolo and the opening round of the Manama Challenger.

However, Zhang returned to the winners circle at the Brisbane Challenger, defeating Alex Bolt in the final, while he won a round in Doha last week, beating Roberto Carballes Baena before going down to Jakub Mensik - who of course went on to topple Jannik Sinner.

Zhang will be making his third appearance in the Dubai main draw, but he is yet to make it past the first round.