Match Details

Fixture: (1) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs (PR) Zhang Zhizhen

Date: Monday, February 22, 2026

Tournament: Dubai Tennis Championships

Round: First (Round of 32)

Category: ATP 500

Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Surface: Hard (outdoor)

Prize Money: $3,311,005

Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN, TVA Sports, DAZN

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Zhizhen preview

Last year’s runner-up and top seed, Felix Auger-Aliassime, will take on Zhang Zhizhen in the opening round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Whoever wins the match will take on either Tunisian Moez Echargui or a qualifier/lucky loser in the second round of the ATP 500 event.

Auger-Aliassime enjoyed an impressive 2025 season, but his 2026 season got off to a rocky start. After winning just one of his two singles matches at the United Cup and retiring from his Australian Open first-round clash, the Canadian won the Open Occitanie in Montpellier and followed it up by reaching the final of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, where he lost to Alex de Minaur.

Zhang Zhizhen has won three out of six matches so far in the 2026 season, with his most notable victory coming against Zizou Bergs at the United Cup. The Chinese, who was ranked 422 places below the Belgian at the time, won 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-5.

Before Dubai, Zhang last competed at the Qatar Open, getting a place in the main draw through protected ranking. The Chinese beat Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round before losing 3-6, 2-6 to sixth seed and eventual semifinalist Jakub Mensik in the second round.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Zhizhen head-to-head

The head-to-head between the two is currently tied at 1-1, with Auger-Aliassime winning their most recent encounter 6-4. 6-4, which came during the United Cup earlier this year.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Zhizhen odds

Odds will be updated when available.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Zhizhen prediction

Auger-Aliassime will enter the match as the overwhelming favorite to win, given his form over the past 15 months. The Canadian has reached the final in his two tournaments and has a good chance of doing so this time around as well. That said, Zhang has done well in his matches so far in 2026, beating several higher-ranked players, as his ranking rose from 464 to 319.

Auger-Aliassime is an effective server and produced 35 aces from five matches in Rotterdam. The 25-year-old doesn’t shy away from playing his shots and his aggression will no doubt make things difficult for Zhang.

The 29-year-old amassed 12 aces from his two matches in Doha and will rely heavily on his service games while looking for a decisive break. Auger-Aliassime has often produced unforced errors, so Zhang will have to find a balanced approach if he is to make things difficult for the World No. 7.

While the Chinese has produced some good moments so far this season, Auger-Aliassime could well be too much for him and he should be able to book his place in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Pick: Auger-Aliassime to win in straight sets.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Zhang Zhizhen betting tips

Tip 1: Auger-Aliassime to serve over ten aces

Tip 2: Auger-Aliassime to lose less than five games