Alexei Popyrin vs Marin Cilic Preview & Prediction | 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships | Round of 16

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Marin Cilic got his first win of 2025 in the first round against Alex de Minaur and now he takes on another Australian in Alexei Popyrin

Ranking points: ATP 500

Start date/time: Wednesday 26th February, 2025: UK – not before 10:00am / US ET – not before 5:00am / US PT – not before 2:00am

Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, UAE

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Alexei Popyrin vs Marin Cilic ticket information

Alexei Popyrin vs Marin Cilic Prediction

Alexei Popyrin got a much-needed win under his belt in the first round as he beat Hady Habib 6-2 6-4 to make it through to the round of 16. The Australian won a superb 93% on his first serve and restricted Habib to winning just eight points in total on his serve. Those types of stats are unsustainable against better opponents but plenty of positives signs that Popyrin is finding some form.

Marin Cilic stunned Alex de Minaur on Tuesday. He won 6-2 3-6 6-3 in what was a see-saw battle but he showed great character to respond when De Minaur won the second set.

That will give him a major boost in what was his first win of 2025 and he will be looking to build on that now. 

Playing back-to-back days may be a challenge for Cilic and he is not helped by the schedule putting him first on Wednesday. Popyrin is pretty unpredictable and we do not want to read too much into one win but he is marginally favoured to get the win.

Alexei Popyrin vs Marin Cilic Tip: Alexei Popyrin to win