Quarterfinal Day Preview — Road to MADO B/S07: Topspin Tennis Tournament BU16, Dubai (Wednesday, September 24, 2025)
Date:
24/09/2025Quarterfinal Day Preview — Road to MADO B/S07: Topspin Tennis Tournament BU16, Dubai (Wednesday, September 24, 2025)
Entering quarterfinals in Dubai, the Boys U16 main draw tightens after decisive Round of 16 wins and a few walkovers. Here is the tournament overview and today’s order of play for Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Tournament Overview
Event: Road to MADO B/S07 - Topspin Tennis Tournament BU16 (Boys U16), part of the UAE Tennis Federation’s Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open pathway.
- City: Dubai, UAE
- Dates: September 19–28, 2025
- Surface: Hard courts
- Official Ball: Wilson US Open
- Main Draw: 32 players | Qualifying: 8 players
- Doubles: Not scheduled
- Entry Fee: AED 185
The field blends established UAE junior contenders and rising names from local academies and clubs, with high-tempo baseline exchanges favored on Dubai’s late-September hard courts.
Draw Status Entering the Quarterfinals
The Round of 16 clarified the picture with convincing straight-set wins and one comeback decided by a match tiebreak. The four quarterfinals set up contrasting styles and compelling tests of consistency.
Round of 16 Highlights
- Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM) advanced when Marwan Safi (IND) retired; Abou Jaoude led 6–3 at the time of retirement.
- Kushagra Jain (C.F) defeated Zad Alexi Muhtar (TOP) 6–2, 6–2 with disciplined depth on return.
- Jiarui Zhang (365) overpowered Rudra Raghuvanshi (RAC) 6–1, 6–0, mixing heavy first strikes and clean patterns.
- Brendan Uchil (TOP) blanked Muhammad Abou Tayoun (MAK) 6–0, 6–0, showcasing aggressive court positioning.
- Adam El Marouri (365) progressed via walkover against Rafael Haq (365).
- Manan Ahuja (TRI) edged James Corney (TPS) 6–3, 6–7(4), 10–7, holding composure in the match tiebreak.
- Aarav Raney (IND) beat Tejas Menon (PUC) 6–1, 6–1 with efficient first-strike tennis.
- Ashmik Mehngi (365) topped Cayane Joe Muhtar (TOP) 6–4, 6–3, converting key break points late in both sets.
Today’s Order of Play — Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Note: Court assignments and start times are subject to on-site confirmation. Please check the tournament page before traveling.
| Match No. | Fixture | Court | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QF1 | Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM) vs Kushagra Jain (C.F) | TBA | TBD | Abou Jaoude led when his R16 opponent retired; Jain enters off a straight-sets win. |
| QF2 | Jiarui Zhang (365) vs Brendan Uchil (TOP) | TBA | TBD | Both reached QF without dropping a set; power baseline duel expected. |
| QF3 | Adam El Marouri (365) vs Manan Ahuja (TRI) | TBA | TBD | El Marouri fresh after W.O.; Ahuja match-tested after a 10-point tiebreak. |
| QF4 | Aarav Raney (IND) vs Ashmik Mehngi (365) | TBA | TBD | Both in form; Raney’s pace vs Mehngi’s balance of offense and control. |
Projected Path
- Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 — Semifinal
- Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 — Semifinal
Key Matchups and Talking Points
QF1: Edward Abou Jaoude vs Kushagra Jain
Abou Jaoude’s first-serve placement and forehand aggression should meet Jain’s steady depth and counterpunching. Early holding patterns will be critical; the player who controls the backhand crosscourt exchange will likely tilt momentum.
QF2: Jiarui Zhang vs Brendan Uchil
A marquee quarterfinal. Zhang’s weight of shot into the corners must withstand Uchil’s proactive returns and willingness to step inside the baseline. First-strike efficiency and second-serve protection are the two swing factors.
QF3: Adam El Marouri vs Manan Ahuja
El Marouri arrives rested but relatively untested this week; Ahuja carries the edge in rhythm after navigating a tight R16. Watch Ahuja’s backhand up the line to disrupt El Marouri’s forehand patterns.
QF4: Aarav Raney vs Ashmik Mehngi
Raney’s pace and inside-out forehand could pressure Mehngi’s contact point. If Mehngi absorbs and redirects while staying high-percentage on return games, he can stretch rallies into his comfort zone.
What to Watch Tactically
- Second-serve points: On hard courts, short returns turn into immediate offense. Expect the returner to attack second serves early.
- Backhand tolerance: Long backhand exchanges will set up forehand finishes. Unforced errors in these sequences will tell the story.
- Transition instincts: Players who recognize short balls and close the net decisively will convert pressure into scoreboard separation.
Conditions and Equipment
Warm, dry Dubai conditions typically reward proactive baseline play and crisp footwork. The Wilson US Open ball stays lively through the court, amplifying serve-plus-one patterns and favoring clean strikers.
Scoring Format Note
As observed in the Round of 16, a 10-point match tiebreak was used in lieu of a full third set in at least one match. Players and spectators should consult the daily fact sheet on-site for confirmation of format for the remaining rounds.
Follow Live
For live updates, draws, and any schedule changes, visit the official tournament page: UAETF Tournament Hub.