Grigor Dimitrov vs Christopher O'Connell Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - O'Connell can push struggling Dimitrov in Dubai first round

It's been a solid start to the season for O'Connell, with his last two tournaments coming to an end against very good opponents in Jack Draper and Tommy Paul. The Aussie has established himself as top 50-75 player on tour over the last couple of seasons and will be hoping to take that next step in his career in 2025. Dimitrov meanwhile has been dealing with injury problems over the first two months of 2025, already retiring twice and coming into this clash on a three-match losing streak. It's not been an ideal start for the Bulgarian and he could be vulnerable again here - backing O'Connell to lift and at least cover a +3.5 games line.

Dimitrov leads 3-0, but this will be their first meeting since 2023.

It's a disappointing setback for Dimitrov, who had done an outstanding job of reclaiming a place inside the top 10 and challenging for big titles over the last couple of years.

Injury problems once again hampered Dimitrov in the second half of 2024 and he's not been able to fully recover, retiring twice already in 2025.

Dimitrov's title defence in Brisbane came to an unfortunate end as he was unable to continue against eventual champion Jiri Lehecka, while he was also forced to pull the plug against lucky loser Francesco Passaro in the opening round of the Australian Open.

The Bulgarian returned to action in Doha last week, but wasn't at his best in a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Lehecka. Dimitrov hasn't enjoyed any success in Dubai throughout his career, losing in the first round in his only two previous appearances, most recently in 2018 against Malek Jaziri.

O'Connell experienced a solid season in 2024, highlighted by some good runs at Miami (R16) and the US Open (R3) and he will be aiming to take his game to another level in 2025.

Currently ranked No. 75 in the world, O'Connell was unlucky to draw eventual quarter-finalist Tommy Paul in the first round of the Australian Open, pushing the American in a five-set thriller.

O'Connell returned on tour and won three matches from qualifying in Doha last week before going down to eventual finalist Jack Draper in the second round.

Again qualifying over the weekend in Dubai - including a great win over Botic Van De Zandschulp - the Aussie will now go in search for his first win over Dimitrov in four attempts.