365 Open Sports – U12 Boys: Monday, January 12, 2026 Analysis and Order of Play

Tournament Overview

The 365 Open Sports – U12 Boys event is underway in Dubai from January 9–18, 2026, showcasing a new wave of junior talent on the region’s hard courts. The competition features a 32-player Main Draw and an 8-player Qualifying Draw, with individual entries (no team format). The age category is U12 Boys, and the standard of play has already been impressive through the opening weekend.

• City: Dubai
• Surface: Hard
• Main Draw Size: 32 | Qualifying: 8
• Dates: January 9–18, 2026
• Event page: Official UAE Tennis Federation listing

State of the Draw

The opening stage featured byes for several high-ranked entrants, placing them directly into the Round of 16. As of this morning, five names are already listed in the Round of 16 lineup:

• Akachukwu Uzokwe (C.F; UAE ranking No. 5)
• Aryen Chandnani (TRI; No. 22)
• Bret Menezes (IND; No. 31)
• Adam Wild Ali (RAC; No. 50)
• Rayan Fassi-Fihri (IND; No. 13)

Elsewhere in the bracket, several compelling Round of 32 fixtures have shaped the week’s storylines, including matchups involving Brian Pang (365; No. 48), Ahmed Soliman (PBI; No. 32), Maksim Sidorov (365; No. 37), Gabriele Ocone (PBI; No. 90), George Kozovoy (No. 38), Daniil Chemodanov (TOP; No. 152), Edwin Taraldsson (No. 22), Eric Topliceanu (No. 141), Adam Boban (No. 65), Gregory Cohen (No. 67), Xiaodong Huang (C.F; No. 42), and Kayan Hmayssi.

Key Themes Entering Midweek

1. Fresh legs in the R16: Byes for five players set up a fascinating freshness versus rhythm dynamic as they meet winners advancing from the opening round.
2. Serve-plus-one on hard courts: Early exchanges have rewarded first-strike patterns; players converting early forehands have controlled most baseline rallies.
3. Depth of field: With multiple entrants ranked inside the UAE top 60, margins are thin and tiebreakers likely to decide pivotal sets.

Players to Watch Today

• Akachukwu Uzokwe – a top-five junior whose court coverage and backhand down-the-line are reliable pressure valves.
• Rayan Fassi-Fihri – compact footwork and a disruptive return position have yielded early breaks all season.
• Aryen Chandnani – varied pace and strong transition skills make him dangerous in quick conditions.

Referee’s Note

Order of Play for Monday, January 12, 2026 is subject to on-site confirmation. Courts and exact start times will be confirmed by the referee desk this morning. For live updates, refresh the official tournament page.

Monday, January 12, 2026 – Order of Play

Provisional schedule – all times GST. Courts and sequencing are TBA pending daily referee briefing.

Note: Any remaining Round of 32 matches will be completed first, followed by selected Round of 16 matches. Schedule is subject to change due to match duration and on-site conditions. For real-time court assignments and start times, follow the live Order of Play.

What to Watch For

• First-strike tennis: Players establishing depth early in rallies should control neutral exchanges on the hard courts.
• Conversion rates: The best-performing juniors this week are converting >50% of break chances; expect momentum swings around service games at 3–3 and 4–4.
• Composure in tiebreaks: With several evenly matched pairings, tiebreak efficiency could decide who reaches the quarterfinals.