U.S. Open R2 previews and predictions: Dimitrov vs. Murray, Rublev vs. Monfils

Round two of the U.S. Open on Thursday is filled with marquee matchups, including Grigor Dimitrov vs. Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev vs. Gael Monfils. Dimitrov saved three match points in his opener against Alex Molcan.

Andy Murray vs. (19) Grigor Dimitrov

Dimitrov and Murray will be squaring off for the 12th time in their careers and for the first time since 2016 when they finally meet again in round two of the U.S. Open on Thursday. Murray has won five of their last six encounters, a stretch that includes their only previous U.S. Open matchup in 2016–which the Scot dominated 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

Obviously this is a post-injury Murray now, but there is no reason why he can’t continue his success against Dimitrov. The 36-year-old is still playing well, back up to 37th in the rankings. He opened on Tuesday in New York with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Corentin Moutet. Dimitrov could not have endured a more different first-rounder, as he saved three match points before outlasting Alex Molcan 6-7(9), 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(11-9) in four hours and 40 minutes. Given Murray’s fine form and the Bulgarian’s fatigue, this one will probably go the way of the three-time Grand Slam champion.

Pick: Murray in 5

Gael Monfils vs. (8) Andrey Rublev

After losing right away in both Toronto and Cincinnati, Rublev needs all the help he can get right now. Help is exactly what he got on Tuesday, when scheduled first-round opponent Emil Ruusuvuori–who upset Rublev in Cincy–withdrew due to sickness. The world No. 8 instead faced lucky loser Arthur Cazaux, whom he defeated 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-1.

However, the draw gets rough again for Rublev–this time in the form on Monfils. Not too much unlike Murray, Monfils is back from recurring physical issues and in resurgent form. The 36-year-old Frenchman has won multiple matches at three straight tournaments, including a quarterfinal run in Toronto. He kicked off his U.S. Open campaign by beating Taro Daniel 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(4). It goes without saying that Monfils has the talent to win this match, but he is going to be playing a whole lot of defense against Rublev and–even though Monfils appears to be healthy at the moment–in what is almost certain to be a long, competitive affair the physical edge goes to Rublev.

Pick: Rublev in 5