Javier Sanchez defeated Sandon Stolle 2-6 7-5 6-4 in the Dubai quarter-final on hard. The upset overturned the form book — Sandon Stolle came in leading the head-to-head 1–0, but Javier Sanchez had been the form player, winning 1 of their last 4 on hard. Javier Sanchez claimed a first win over Sandon Stolle in two meetings, narrowing the head-to-head to 1–1.
Sanchez J. came through in three sets.