Andy Murray’s bid for a second U.S. Open title will continue when he goes up against Grigor Dimitrov during fourth-round action on Monday. A spot in the quarterfinals is also on the line between Kei Nishikori and Ivo Karlovic.
(22) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (2) Andy Murray
Murray and Dimitrov will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers when they battle during fourth-round action at the U.S. Open on Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at 6-3 in favor of Murray, who is 6-2 against Dimitrov on hard courts and has won three of their last four encounters. Dimitrov, however, took their most recent showdown 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-3 earlier this season at the Miami Masters. Since the Scot dominated their first three meetings in straight sets, only one of the last five tilts has yielded a straight-set result.
Dimitrov slumped for several months after upsetting Murray in Miami, but he is picking up the pace for a second-half surge. The 24th-ranked Bulgarian tuned up for the year’s final Grand Slam by reaching the Toronto quarterfinals before going all the way to the semis in Cincinnati. He now finds himself in the second week of a major for the first time since the 2015 Australian Open. As well as Dimitrov is playing, no one on the entire tour is as hot as Murray. The world No. 2 triumphed at Wimbledon two months ago, captured a second consecutive Olympic gold medal, and finished runner-up in Cincinnati. He has maintained his winning ways at Flushing Meadows with mostly routine victories over Lukas Rosol, Marcel Granollers, and Paolo Lorenzi. This will almost certainly be another entertaining battle between Murray and Dimitrov, but the favorite is simply winning matches left and right these days and will be too tough in the pressure-packed moments.
Pick: Murray in 4
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(6) Kei Nishikori vs. (21) Ivo Karlovic
At 37 years old, Karlovic is through to the fourth round of the U.S. Open for the first time in his career. But is anyone surprised? They shouldn’t be. Age is just a number for the 6’11” Croat, who is without question playing the best tennis of his life. His post-Wimbledon summer includes titles in Newport and Los Cabos, a runner-up performance in Washington, D.C., and a second-round upset of Marin Cilic in Cincinnati. Going full steam ahead in New York, Karlovic has advanced with wins over Yen-Hsun Lu, Donald Young, and Jared Donaldson.
Next up for the 21st seed is a fourth career encounter with Nishikori, who trails the head-to-head series 2-1. They have not faced each other since the 2014 Memphis final, won by Nishikori is two tight sets. Another Memphis title is part of the world No. 7’s awesome 49-14 for his 2016 campaign. Nishikori finished runner-up in Toronto and won the bronze medal at the Olympics earlier this summer, but that also means his body has taken a bit of a physical toll on the heels of a fourth-round retirement at Wimbledon. Moreover, he has advanced past the fourth round of the U.S. Open only once in eight appearances. Don’t be surprised if a red-hot Karlovic extends that trend with a dominant serving display.
Pick: Karlovic in 5
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WWW?
Murray in four and Nishikori in five
Murray in 4
Nishi in 4
Murray in 3 if he has a normal day and Karlovic will probably get a set but no more..
Can’t wait for the Murray-Dtrov showdown. I saw Grigor 2X this past week at The OPEN and he looked spectacular both times…moving VERY fast and crushing the ball. Having said that, I think he’ll get only one set off of Andy in Ashe. …and I like Nishikori in straight.
For some reason I never thought Dimitrov was the “real” thing.
Andy has a tough draw with possibly Nishikori and Delpo waiting in the wings. Nole is incredibly lucky. Has a cakewalk draw. What can his opponents do when the (G)odds are so in favor of this man?
Give me a break
Murray vs Dimitrov would be a cracking game. Watch US Open tennis live streaming by using VPN for unblocking international channels which are not available in your country. Check this website for more stream guide: VPNSports
Murray vs Grigor is always an amazing match. Dimitrov is finally back in form but I can’t see him taking more than a set off Andy. Simply too good right now.
I like Ivo’s chances to win in 5 – but I’m probably biased by how much I love Ivo Karlovic 🙂 Howvever, Nishikori has had some trouble this week, losing a set in every single match (Becker, Khachanov, Mahut), while Ivo after his first-rounder with Lu played really good. Still, Nishikori probably wins but I’d love to see Karlovic reach his second Grand Slam QF.
Nishi in four.
Muzza in three.
Nishi in 4 sets.
Murray in 4 sets.
What a relief…I was so worried! ? Kei made it in 3 ??
Nishi handled karlovlc much easier than I thought!
Impressive win for Nishi!
I’ll watch it later on Tennis Channel 😀
Andy and Grigor are starting on ESPN, Nny.
Come on Grigor beat the Zika of tennis.
Well maybe Grigor would have a weapon to bother Andy if he (Grigor) was the Zika of tennis. As it is, it’s he’s weak sauce compared to Andy.
Andy looking so good isn’t he? Very strong. Grigor’s backhand is just so weak and fragile.
Yes Andy is a Sherman Tank. Strong and solid. Grigor needs to find a different plan — and as I type Grigor gets a break and a game in the 2nd set. See if he can hold now.
Nope Dim Dim couldn’t convert.
RC, your profile pic is quite appropriate as a reaction to how Grigor is playing.
thank you, vr 🙂
it turns out to be appropriate multiple times daily. I have other avatars but…this one good.
Muzza playing fierce though it must be said.
He will crush wee Kei. He wants some Novak in the final ?
#WeeKeiPedia
Dimi playing like shit though.
Has a lot to do with the guy on the other side of the net.
Great net play and anticipation from muzz to set up set point which he converts.
#Masterclass.
Andy’s mind is sharp out there…unless he spaces out, as he does in some matches like this. It should be over in 3 – going like this. Awesome Andy. Margot should be awake for this.
RT @BenRothenberg: Per IBM, 141 mph (227 km/h) serve that Andy Murray hit to end first set was his fastest ever. Previous was 139 mph at Cincy 2011. #USOpen
Did you pick Andy to win the title, hawks?
Nope. Nole.
He’s the only one who can stop Murray and as good as muzz is playing, I still think the matchup is in Nole’s favour.
Perhaps it is. I picked Andy. But my bracket is on the bottom — on the Tenngrand ATP one.
Aga Rad is next!!!
Dimitrov on fire with an impressive 11 winners and 39 unforced errors along with an incredible 0 aces and 6 double faults. Well done Grigor!! Wow keep it up dude good stuff. It’ll be over in no time if he keeps playing this well.
Andy raised his level of play in this match and that’s what you would expect from
him. Dimi was outclassed. He’s still got some work to do.
Now for the women! Maybe this will be more of a match!
I’m nervous for this one! Ana Konjuh had Aga on the ropes at Wimbledon.
Benny,
You are too funny with this! Where is the sarcasm emoticon when you need it?
Yikes! Those stats really said it all!
?
18 yr. old, Konjuh started slow but the first game was won by breaking Aga…rather brilliantly. Oh dear…I’m not ready for Aga to lose to her.
That was an impressive performance from the 18 year old Ana Konyuh. Great serving! Aga had no answers.
Yeah that’s a huge win for her. First slam QF. Wouldn’t have expected radwanska to lose that one at all.
Yes. I didn’t even think of picking Ana Konjuh is that section. Maybe denial? Blocked out that Wimbledon match vs Aga? It’ll be interesting to watch Pliskova vs Konjuh.
Crushed for Aga, tho.
I watched some of Andy vs. Grigor and thought how good Andy was. Grigor looked like a journeyman…Andy is set his mind on No1 spot and I may say he has never looked this sharp and focused.
It willl be him vs Nole in the finals most likely. Still I give advantage to Nole..,