On February 24, 2026, tennis players Jenson Brooksby and Zizou Bergs will meet in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Aviation Club in Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This ATP 500 event is played on hard courts with a total prize pool of $3,311,005, attracting top talent from around the globe. Fans can watch the match live on Tennis Channel in the USA, Sky Sports in the UK, and TSN in Canada.
Player Form and Background
Jenson Brooksby, ranked among the top 50 in the world, will make his debut at the Dubai Open this year. Despite a challenging start to 2026 with just one win in five matches, Brooksby’s previous season showed promise, highlighted by his title victory in Houston and a finals appearance at Eastbourne, where he fell to Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-1. His recent outings include a straight-sets defeat by Alexander Bublik at the Australian Open and early-round exits in Auckland, Melbourne, Dallas, and Doha.
Zizou Bergs begins his second campaign at the Dubai Open with memories of reaching the last 16 in 2025 before losing to Luca Nardi in straight sets. The Belgian player’s start to the season has been modest, with a semifinal run at the United Cup and wins like the one over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Qatar Open balanced by early losses in Melbourne, Rotterdam, and Doha. Last year’s performance in Dubai shows Bergs’ potential to make an impact on these courts.
Previous Encounters and Match Expectations
This upcoming match marks the first-ever encounter between Brooksby and Bergs, with no head-to-head record to reference. Both players will approach this as an opportunity to establish dominance early in the tournament and gain momentum for the season ahead.
Anticipated Outcomes and Viewer Notes
While official odds from BetMGM are available, the match promises to be a thoughtful contest between two determined athletes. Brooksby’s recent struggles contrast with his proven ability to win titles, and Bergs aims to build on his Dubai Open experience to advance further this year. Viewers can expect a competitive and strategic encounter, fitting the hopeful and reflective tone that surrounds this opening round matchup.
