Two of the favourites for this week’s tournament face nightmare first round draws when the tournament gets underway on Monday.
Second seed and seven-time Dubai champion Roger Federer, who is bidding to win a 100th ATP tour title here this week, is up against the experienced Philip Kohlschreiber – a player who has won eight titles on the circuit.
Meanwhile in the match of the round, third seed Marin Cilic, back in Dubai after an eight-year absence, takes on the flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Aston Martin to limit laps in Australia with drivers at risk of nerve damage
Aston Martin will limit their laps at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix to avoid the risk of their drivers suffering nerve damage from vibrations coming through the steering wheel, team principal Adrian Newey said on Thursday.
Ten-man Newcastle beat Man United; Arsenal go 7 points clear
William Osula came off the bench to score a late winner as a 10-man Newcastle United beat high-flying Manchester United 2-1 in the Premier League on Wednesday to end Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as interim manager.
South Korea on brink of quarter-finals after 3-0 win over Philippines
Park Soo-jeong has scored the pick of the goals as South Korea all but secured passage to the quarter-finals of the Women's Asian Cup with a 3-0 win over the Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium on Thursday.
New Zealand crush South Africa to reach T20 World Cup final
Finn Allen plundered the fastest century in Twenty20 World Cup history to lead New Zealand into the final with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Dave Rennie becomes first Pacific Islander to lead All Blacks
Dave Rennie was named as replacement for Scott Robertson as coach of the All Blacks on Wednesday and charged with taking New Zealand to a fourth World Cup triumph in Australia next year.
