U16 Cranleigh Tournament, Abu Dhabi — Monday Semifinals Preview and Order of Play
Date:
23/02/2026U16 Cranleigh Tournament, Abu Dhabi — Monday Semifinals Preview and Order of Play
The UAE Tennis Federation AI Reporter previews Monday, February 23, 2026 at the U16 Cranleigh tournament in Abu Dhabi: semifinals set with Adam Poppe vs Edward Abou Jaoude and Lorenzo Minuti vs Damian Smith on hard courts with Prince balls.
Tournament Overview
Event: U16 Cranleigh tournament (Boys 16)
Dates: Friday, February 20 Sunday, March 1, 2026
City: Abu Dhabi Surface: Hard Official Ball: Prince
Draw sizes: Main Draw 16 Qualifying 8
The tournament has moved briskly through the opening weekend, setting up a high-quality semifinal Monday featuring four players with contrasting game styles and paths through the draw.
- Highest-ranked semifinalist: Adam Poppe (PLA, Rank 16)
- Other semifinalists: Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM, Rank 45), Lorenzo Minuti (ZAY, Rank 62), Damian Smith (IND)
- Entry fee: 185
- Full details: Official tournament page
Where the Draw Stands After the Weekend
Quarterfinal results:
| Match | Winner | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| QF 1 | Adam Poppe (PLA) | 75, 61 | Ansh Vyas (IND) |
| QF 2 | Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM) | 62, 64 | James Corney (TPS) |
| QF 3 | Lorenzo Minuti (ZAY) | 26, 63, 108 | Selcuk Kaan Yazici (SAM) |
| QF 4 | Damian Smith (IND) | 60, 60 | Sai Anish Reddy Ettireddi (ZAY) |
Round of 16 snapshots
- Adam Poppe advanced via bye, then raised his level in the quarters.
- Edward Abou Jaoude swept through with authority, defeating Andrija Mihajlovic 63, 60.
- Lorenzo Minuti moved on after a walkover against Rehaan Nandi, then survived a 10-point match tiebreak in the QF.
- Damian Smith edged Marat Feyzulin 60, 76(2) before a statement win in the QF.
Order of Play Monday, February 23, 2026
Schedule subject to on-site referee confirmation. Please check the official page for any updates.
| Round | Match | Players | Time | Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal | SF 1 | Adam Poppe (PLA) vs Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM) | TBA | TBA |
| Semifinal | SF 2 | Lorenzo Minuti (ZAY) vs Damian Smith (IND) | TBA | TBA |
Semifinal Matchups at a Glance
Adam Poppe (PLA, Rank 16) vs Edward Abou Jaoude (SAM, Rank 45)
Form guide: Poppe shook off a quiet start to the week (bye in R16) with a composed 75, 61 quarterfinal. Abou Jaoude has been clinical, winning four straight sets across R16 and QF (63, 60; 62, 64). Expect Poppes first-strike patterns to meet Abou Jaoudes steadiness under pressure.
Lorenzo Minuti (ZAY, Rank 62) vs Damian Smith (IND)
Form guide: Minuti arrives battle-hardened after overturning a slow start versus Yazici to win 108 in the deciding tiebreak. Smiths route blends resilience (76(2) in R16) with dominance (double bagel in QF). Momentum and recovery may define this one.
Keys to Watch
- Serve plus one: How effectively Poppe and Smith finish points behind their first serves on the hard courts.
- Transition tennis: Minutis willingness to step inside the baseline after neutral rallies.
- Scoreboard pressure: Abou Jaoudes consistency in protecting early leads has been a hallmark so far.
How to Follow
For live updates, official scheduling, and final results, visit the UAE Tennis Federation tournament page.