Roman Safiullin vs Otto Virtanen Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Dubai Open

Prediction published on 22/02/2025, 12:06  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 22/02/2025 at 12:15 in Tennis Predictions

Roman Safiullin, the top seed at this year’s Dubai Tennis Championship, will play seventh seed Otto Virtanen next. The winner of their first career meeting will advance to the main draw. Below is our prediction for this match.

Roman Safiullin was finally able to record his first positive result of the season after winning his first round qualifier. The Russian had lost four straight matches to start the season before his 2-1 success over Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Saffiullin’s torrid start to the season has seen him plummet 10 places in the ATP and is now placed 71st in the live ranking. He fancies playing on hardcourts and has registered 225 of his 398 total career victories on such surfaces.

Otto Virtanen has also had a slow start to the season. The Finn has lost six times in nine outings. He arrived in Dubai after losing in the first round in Doha as a lucky loser.

Virtanen defeated Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets in the first round of these qualifiers. Despite this, he had dropped a massive 18 places to 110th in the live ranking.

Virtanen isn’t a strong outdoor hardcourt player. He has played 50 matches on such surfaces across his career and has compiled a losing record.