A blockbuster first-round matchup between Gilles Simon and Grigor Dimitrov is on tap for Monday in Brisbane. Hyeon Chung and Sam Groth are also aiming for a place in the last 16.
Grigor Dimitrov vs. (5) Gilles Simon
Simon and Dimitrov will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they collide in round one of the Brisbane International on Monday afternoon. All four of their previous encounters have gone Simon’s way, but they have not faced each other since 2012. The Frenchman most recently prevailed 6-3, 6-3 at the London Olympics. Only one of Simon’s victories has come on a hard court, and that was indoors–seven years ago in Marseille via a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 decision.
This is a crucial season for Dimitrov, who is entering the prime of his career at 24 years old but thoroughly underwhelmed throughout the 2015 campaign. The Bulgarian is down at 28th in the rankings after compiling a lackluster 33-22 record last year. Simon, on the other hand, was his typically rock-solid self in 2015. The 31-year-old registers at No. 15 in the world thanks in part to a title in Marseille and a quarterfinal performance at Wimbledon. Simon’s season got off to an inauspicious 6-2, 6-2 losing start at the hands of James Duckworth in Brisbane, where he is 4-5 lifetime and 0-3 in his last three matches. In other words, this is a prime opportunity for Dimitrov to back up his statements that will be a reinvigorated player in 2016.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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Hyeon Chung vs. Sam Groth
Chung and Groth will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Monday. Their only previous meeting came at a Challenger event on the hard courts of South Korea in 2014, when Groth survived 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(6). That was not an atypical Groth match, as the 60th-ranked Australian wields one of the most powerful serves on tour but lacks a multitude of dimensions in his game. He is coming off a strong 2015 campaign in which he heated up during a summer that saw him advanced to the Wimbledon third round and the Washington, D.C. quarters.
Regarded as one of the brightest young talents on tour, Chung is already up to No. 51 in the world at 19 years old. The Korean went 12-10 at the ATP level last season and won four Challenger titles to go along with a pair of Challenger runner-ups. Chung’s flat, counter-punching style gave Groth fits two years ago–and that was back when the youngster was basically a no-name on the circuit. Chung has since announced his arrival in a big way, and he is only going up from here.
Pick: Chung in 3
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who ya got?
Dimitrov in 2 and Groth in 2
wow
what kind of “2” are we talking about here? Not even tiebreakers?
I’ll go with 0-1 breaker for dimitrov and 1-2 for Groth. I think both will be tight but I say Groth Chung will be tighter.
Admitting I’m swayed by your thinking that Groth will perform well (home court advantage) and will win, I voted for my original pick, Hyeong Chung 😉 in 3.
Same with Simon. Gilles in 3. Although I agree Grigor is possibly due for a win – especially down under, I’ll believe it when I see it!
I just don’t feel comfortable picking Dimi yet. I will go with Simon in 3 sets.
I am not that familiar with Chung, but do know Groth. I am going with Ricky’s pick for this one – Chung in 3 sets.
Grung is a borderline toss-up. Groth could take it depending on his 1st-serve percentage.
Dimitrov still needs to prove himself, I’ll go with Simon. Don’t know Grung, so I’ll pick Groth at home
Chung
Am hearing a lot of buzz about Chung….can’t wait to see him in person…and I like Simon in straight.
Simon pick not looking good!
well, that first pick was awful!
i called it
Dimitrov won against Simon? Well that’s a good way to start the new year for him.
Nostradimonus is off to a strong start!
Two for two in Brisbane so far. Also got the set # right. That pretty much never happens.
That never happens for me I mean lol
Hyeong Chung made it! yessss
Good for Grigor too – step in the right direction. NNY, Grigor has burned me too many times – he’ll have to get on a streak before I start believing 😉
ratcliff,
I agree about Dimi. It’s going to take some more wins before I am a believer again. But I do hope that he can turn it around this year. He’s too talented.
Nice to know that Chung got the win.
I think the tennis channel is not covering this match until maybe the quarterfinals or on a delayed basis. I know that they are showing Brisbane. When it comes to the smaller tournaments, their coverage can be spotty.
You are right. Tennis Channel won’t follow ATP events until later this week. But they are covering Hopman Cup and WTA – which is great to me! All my favorites are playing in Brisbane and Shenzhen — a couple in Auckland.
Nostradimonus is in the house in 2016