In the upcoming second round of the 2023 US Open on Thursday, the battle will unfold between Grigor Dimitrov, currently ranked 19th in the world, and Andy Murray, a three time Major champion.
Match: Andy Murray vs Grigor Dimitrov
Date: August 31, 2023
Tournament: US Open 2023
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: New York, United States
You can learn more about tennis betting odds and the US Open Tennis 2023 by checking out our guides.
This match marks the twelfth meeting between these players on the ATP Tour, with Murray winning in eight out of the eleven previous meetings. Notably, the Briton has secured triumph in two out of their three grand slam clashes, including a decisive straight sets win during the 2016 US Open.
It has been 11 years since Murray clinched his first major title at Flushing Meadows. Despite reaching the finals in Doha earlier this season, the three time major champion has encountered a couple of injury setbacks that have hindered his preparations for the final Grand Slam of 2023.
In contrast, Dimitrov, who secured the runner up position in Geneva, appears to possess a slight advantage in terms of match readiness and momentum, courtesy of his recent strong performances in reaching the Wimbledon fourth round and the semi finals of the Citi Open.
These factors might just tilt the scales in favor of the Bulgarian, although the potential for an extended contest remains. Notably, Dimitrov’s first-round match extended to nearly five hours, and in conjunction with a back problem, overpowering Murray could present a formidable challenge for him. Throughout the years, the British player has consistently found strategies to counter his younger opponent’s dynamic shot making and tactical approaches.
The injury issues both men have encountered make this match even harder to call so perhaps the over/under total games market is the best bet here.
We think the match will be long and close so we are backing Total Games Over 40.0 which can be found at odds of -105 with Bovada. A $105 bet would return $205.
Check out our review of Bovada for more information on this bookie.
The match holds a strong potential to become one of the lengthiest encounters in the second round of the US Open.
In his opening match, Grigor Dimitrov, seeded 19th, engaged in a marathon battle, needing five sets and a total of 58 games to overcome Alex Molcan with a final score of 6-7 (9-11), 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9). The victory, which ultimately materialized after four hours and forty minutes of intense play, demanded Dimitrov to stave off three match points during the course of the contest.
The expectation is that this clash could extend to five sets and potentially stretch over a duration of more than four hours. Even the possibility of four sets might suffice to meet this expectation, provided there are a few extended sets in the mix.
Former world number one Andy Murray progressed to the second round of the 2023 US Open by dispatching Frenchman Corentin Moutet in a clean sweep of sets. Murray secured victory with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 after an intense three-hour battle in New York. Impressively, he thwarted two set points against him during the second set. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Murray, the 2012 US Open champion, as he notched his 200th Grand Slam match win.
Murray’s domination was evident as he stringed together four consecutive games to capture the opening set. Overcoming a break deficit, he showcased his resilience by denying his opponent’s set point opportunities, ultimately claiming the second set.
In the pivotal juncture of the third set, Murray seized a crucial break in the ninth game, propelling himself to a 5-3 advantage. With determination, he served out the match, finally sealing the victory on his fourth match point.
Dimitrov commenced his New York campaign facing off against Alex Molcan. The Bulgarian exhibited commendable effort in the initial two sets, but stumbled during the tie breaks and relinquished both sets.
However, Dimitrov exhibited a notable improvement in his gameplay, claiming the third set with a mere loss of a single game. This upward trajectory continued into the fourth set, where securing a solitary break of serve worked in his favor, ultimately winning the set.
The momentum shifted once again, favoring Molcan as he surged ahead with a 5-2 lead. But, his inability to close out the match on his own serve followed by losing a match point on Dimitrov’s serve led to a score level up by Dimitrov.
After a prolonged battle, the outcome was left to be determined by a tie break. In a remarkable display of resilience, Dimitrov thwarted an additional pair of match points during the tie break, orchestrating an impressive comeback triumph of 6-7 (9), 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (9).
Andy Murray to win a close US Open second round match by 3 sets to 2.
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