Grigor Dimitrov and Marton Fucsovics will face each other for the second time in the bubble on Thursday. The winner will meet either John Millman or Frances Tiafoe in the U.S. Open third round.
(14) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Marton Fucsovics
Dimitrov and Fucsovics will be going head-to-head for the second time in the Cincinnati-U.S. Open bubble when they square off again during second-round action on Thursday. Their only previous meeting came 10 days ago at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where Fucsovics prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
That was not a surprising result, as Dimitrov’s summer included a bout with the coronavirus followed by less than stellar play at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown. Fucsovics was in better shape physically in their showdown last week and had little trouble in the third set. The Hungarian, who reached the last 16 of the 2020 Australian Open, destroyed Hugo Dellien 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 on Tuesday. Dimitrov lost only one more game to Tommy Paul than Fucsovics did to Dellien, so the Bulgarian is probably more confident than he was last week. Still, Fucsovics should once again have the edge as the match progresses.
Pick: Fucsovics in 4
[crowdsignal poll=10603014]
Frances Tiafoe vs. John Millman
The U.S. Open has not been kind to Tiafoe, who had a 2-5 lifetime record heading into the event this year. That is why Tuesday’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Andreas Seppi was especially sweet, and the 22-year-old American crucially avoided a fifth set–a situation he has struggled with throughout his career. Tiafoe is now 1-1 in the bubble and 2-6 for the season, having lost his Cincinnati opener to Andy Murray.
Millman, on the other hand, is a proven force at Flushing Meadows. The 43rd-ranked Australian upset Roger Federer en route to the 2018 quarterfinals and he reached the third round in 2017. Millman thrashed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday for his 10th match win of the season. Based on current form and past U.S. Open history, Millman has a clear advantage in this one.
Pick: Millman in 4
[crowdsignal poll=10603018]
WWW?
grigor looks fine. why do u keep saying hes not feeling well.. lol won 3-0 and looked great last match
Both of Rick’s picks look good. There’s more to worry about with Dimitrov than Fucsovic but Dimitrov is the class player and obviously likes it at the US Open having beating Federer here to make the semis.
Millman should have a slight edge on form and history even though Tiafoe is capable of producing his best tennis on home turf.
I think Dtrov is stronger, and better, than folks might think….he’ll win in 4. Millman just too tough….in 4.