Quick Read
- Daniil Medvedev defeated Juncheng Shang in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 24, 2026.
- This marks Medvedev’s second consecutive win against Shang in as many weeks, following a victory at the Qatar Open.
- Medvedev is the defending champion at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which runs from February 20-28.
- He recently commented that left-handed players face a “disadvantage” due to more frequent matches against right-handers.
- Medvedev’s career record against top-100 left-handed players is 56.4% wins, with mixed head-to-head results.
DUBAI (Azat TV) – Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev secured a crucial first-round victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, defeating China’s Juncheng Shang. This win not only propels Medvedev further into the tournament where he is the defending champion but also reignites discussions surrounding his recent controversial comments on the perceived ‘disadvantage’ of left-handed players in professional tennis.
Medvedev’s triumph over Shang marks their second consecutive encounter in as many weeks, with Medvedev also besting the left-handed player at the Qatar Open. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, currently in its Round of 32, is being held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in the United Arab Emirates from February 20-28. As the reigning champion, Medvedev entered the tournament as a prominent contender, holding betting odds of +550, trailing only Felix Auger-Aliassime (+375), according to USA Today Sportsbookwire.
Daniil Medvedev’s Dubai Campaign Continues
The straight-sets victory against Shang Juncheng was a strong start for Daniil Medvedev in his title defense. The match, highlights of which were featured on ATPTour.com, saw the former world No. 1 demonstrate the form expected of a top seed. His consistent performance against Shang, a player he has now defeated twice in quick succession, underscores his current competitive edge as the tournament progresses. Medvedev’s path through the hard-court tournament is closely watched, given his history of success on this surface and his status as the defending champion.
The Dubai tournament is a significant stop on the ATP Tour calendar, attracting many of the sport’s elite players. Medvedev’s ability to navigate the early rounds effectively is critical for maintaining his ranking and accumulating points, especially as he aims to secure another major title this season. His presence as a defending champion adds an extra layer of pressure and expectation, making each victory a testament to his continued dominance in the sport.
The Left-Handed ‘Disadvantage’ Theory
Prior to his match against Shang, Daniil Medvedev sparked considerable debate with his remarks concerning left-handed players like Ben Shelton and Jack Draper. Speaking to Tennis TV, Medvedev suggested that left-handers might actually face a ‘disadvantage’ on the ATP Tour. He explained his theory by positing that since left-handed players predominantly compete against right-handers, ‘every match is tricky, tricky, tricky’ for them. Conversely, he argued that right-handed players encounter left-handers less frequently, making those matchups an occasional challenge rather than a constant norm.
Medvedev, himself a right-handed player with an unorthodox style, expressed curiosity about how left-handers perceive their own situation. ‘I always wonder, because I’m not a left-handed, how do they feel,’ Medvedev stated. He questioned whether left-handers feel they have an ‘edge’ due to their unique playstyle against the majority of right-handed opponents. His conclusion, however, was that the sheer volume of matches against right-handers puts left-handers at a strategic disadvantage, as they constantly adapt to an unfamiliar rhythm, while right-handers largely play against similar styles.
Daniil Medvedev’s Record Against Left-Handers
Medvedev’s provocative comments naturally led to scrutiny of his own performance against left-handed opponents. According to The Tennis Gazette, his career record against the 12 left-handed players currently ranked within the ATP Top 100 stands at a 56.4% win rate across 39 matches. This mixed record provides a nuanced perspective on his theory.
While Medvedev holds winning head-to-head records against notable left-handers such as Jack Draper (1-0), Cameron Norrie (5-1), and Denis Shapovalov (4-2), his statistics reveal struggles against others. He has a negative record against Ben Shelton (0-1), Learner Tien (1-3), and Ugo Humbert (1-4). These figures suggest that while left-handed players may be fewer in number, those with particular game styles can indeed pose significant challenges to Medvedev, sometimes contradicting his broad assertion of a general ‘disadvantage’.
Defending the Dubai Title
As Daniil Medvedev continues his run at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, his performance will be under intense observation. Beyond the immediate match results, his ability to defend a significant title like Dubai will be a key indicator of his form and mental resilience early in the 2026 season. His position as a former world No. 1 and a Grand Slam champion ensures that every tournament he enters carries high stakes for his ranking, endorsements, and overall legacy in the sport.
His comments on left-handed players, while controversial, also highlight a strategic dimension to his game, suggesting a deep analytical approach to his opponents. How he continues to fare against both left and right-handed players in Dubai and beyond will undoubtedly shape the narrative around his unique playing style and tactical insights.
Medvedev’s recent performance and outspoken views underscore his prominent role in contemporary tennis, where his matches are not just contests of skill but also platforms for broader discussions about strategy and player dynamics within the sport.