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Jakub Mensik vs Alexei Popyrin Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Popyrin looking to step up in Dubai

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Tue 24 Feb 2026 23:54

Enjoy a thrilling clash between Jakub Mensik and Alexei Popyrin in their bid for the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals. While Mensik has the upper hand with prior wins over Popyrin, this match sees Popyrin emerging from a challenging period hoping to capitalize on recent gains. Mensik’s stellar form faces the test of Popyrin’s improved confidence post Dubai opener win. With high stakes, expect a match exceeding 21.5 games with tight scores and at least one tiebreak. Tune in for gripping live coverage.

Andrew Hendrie 24 Feb 2026
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  • Jakub Mensik vs Alexei Popyrin predictions for Wednesday's ATP Dubai R2
  • Popyrin looking to kickstart his year against in-form Mensik
  • Relatively close contest tipped, with Popyrin covering with 1+ tiebreak
  • The match is scheduled to start around 3.00am AEDT on Thursday February 26
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Alexei Popyrin
Alexei Popyrin (Photo by Getty Images)


Jakub Mensik vs Alexei Popyrin Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


Australia's Alexei Popyrin will be looking to really kickstart his year when he faces the in-form Jakub Mensik for a place in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals on Wednesday.

It's been a nightmare last few months for Popyrin on tour, but after claiming his first true win of the year in his Dubai opener, perhaps he could be in for something special here? Popyrin has all the talent in the world - as he demonstrated by winning the Canada Masters in 2024 - but his consistency, mindset and overall tennis IQ lets him down from a established spot inside the top 20. Hungry to return to his best tennis, Popyrin is coming off a confidence-boosting victory over Kamil Majchrzak in his first round and now gets to test himself against one of the tour's most in-form players.

Mensik stunned Jannik Sinner last week in Doha and is 12-3 for the year as he also looks to back up a maiden Masters 1000 triumph from Miami last year. However, the Czech has been known to struggle physically so far in his young career and he couldn't back up his win over Sinner, losing to Arthur Fils in the next round. I can't back Mensik at short odds here, but I'm liking Popyrin to cover, Over 21.5 games and at least one tiebreak.
  • Mensik has failed to cover a -4.5 line & seen Over 21.5 Games in his last three matches
  • Mensik has failed to cover a -4.5 line in all three previous Dubai matches
  • Mensik has seen 1+ tiebreak & Over 21.5 games in all three previous Dubai matches
  • Mensik has seen 1+ tiebreak in eight of his last 10 matches
  • Popyrin has covered a +4.5 line in all eight previous Dubai matches
  • Popyrin has seen Over 21.5 games in six of those eight Dubai matches
  • Popyrin has seen Over 21.5 games in seven of his last eight best-of-three matches vs top 20 players

Mensik vs Popyrin Head To Head

Mensik leads 2-0, with both meetings coming in 2024 and ending in straight sets.

YearWinnerEventRoundSurfaceScore
2024Jakub MensikViennaRound of 32Indoor Hard7–6(3), 6–2
2024Jakub MensikUmagRound of 32Outdoor Clay6–3, 6–2

Jakub Mensik Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 12-3
  • ATP Dubai Record: 2-1
  • Current Ranking: No. 13
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 13

After winning his first Masters 1000 title last year in Miami, Mensik has started this year with a bang as he approaches closer to a top 10 debut.

Mensik secured his second ATP title in Auckland and advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open, where he was forced to withdraw with an abdominal injury.

The 20-year-old returned to action last week and stunned the tennis world with a three-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the Doha quarter-finals - but he couldn't back it up and went on to lose 7-6 6-4 to Arthur Fils in the semis.

Th Czech was back in action in his Dubai opener earlier this week, winning 97 per cent of first serve points in a 6-4 7-6 victory over Hubert Hurkacz.

Alexei Popyrin Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 2-5
  • ATP Dubai Record: 4-4
  • Current Ranking: No. 47
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 19 (August 2025)

It's been a dire run of form for Popyrin, but perhaps he is turning a corner in Dubai?

The Aussie entered this tournament having lost his last 12 matches against top 100 opponents dating back to last year's Canada Masters in July.

Popyrin was bounced in the first round of all three events he played during the Aussie summer before losing in the opening round of a Challenger in Bahrain to the World No. 142.

After claiming a win last week in Doha over an unranked local wildcard, Popyrin finally got back to business in his Dubai opener, recovering from a set down to edge out Kamil Majchrzak 3-6 6-3 7-5.

Mensik vs Popyrin Live Stream

Watch and bet on Jakub Mensik vs Alexei Popyrin live tennis from Dubai.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Dubai with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply. live tennis from Dubai.

Verdict

Popyrin is backed to cover a +4.5 games line in a match that features at least one tiebreak and goes Over 21.5 games.

Best Bet1: Popyrin +4.5 Games Line $1.70 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 21.5 Total Games $1.80 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Over 0.5 Total Tiebreaks $2.50 at dabble - 1 Unit
Popyrin +4.5
Games Line
$1.70 - 3 Units
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Bet at dabble
Over 21.5
Total Games
$1.80 - 2 Units
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with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble
Over 0.5
Total Tiebreaks
$2.50 - 1 Unit
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

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