This is a Round of 32 encounter in the Erste Bank Open in Vienna between Bulgarian No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov and Chinese Zhizhen Zhang. Dimitrov will try to assert his authority coming off a runner-up finish in Stockholm, while Zhang has been struggling in the last few weeks and tries to break a losing streak to get some form back. Both players have to make their points, setting the stage for what is hopefully an exciting contest on Vienna's indoor hard courts.
Grab Welcome BonusGrigor Dimitrov
Coming into Vienna in good form, Grigor Dimitrov reached the final of the ATP Stockholm, losing to Tommy Paul in straight sets. The World No. 10 has gone 7-3 in his last 10 matches, blending a good mix of offensive power with defensive stability. His all-around game works well on fast courts, especially considering his potent serve and fluid baseline movement.
The key for Dimitrov will be his all-around court coverage and ability to transition from defense to offense seamlessly. His slice backhand is one that could really disrupt Zhang's rhythm, forcing him to be involved with extended rallies where Dimitrov has the upper hand. His serve will be big, too, because it controls the tempo and lets him be dangerous playing on his terms.
Dimitrov boasts one of the best serves in the world, and that becomes even more dangerous on indoor hard courts. He is very good at changing up his shots and slicing the ball to get his opponents off rhythm. His athleticism allows him to chase down difficult balls. Dimitrov has held 67% of his service games this season. On the whole, he's consistent enough to make life miserable for just about anyone on tour.
The thing is, the problem with the Bulgarian is that he sometimes struggles to close out matches, particularly against heavy hitters who can
Zhizhen Zhang
Meanwhile, No. 46-ranked Zhizhen Zhang has been facing an upward battle of late, having lost his last four matches. That also includes a tight contest against Aslan Karatsev in Almaty. There have been flashes of brilliance, especially in serving games, but most of his inconstancies have come out in the recent form of Zhang.
Meanwhile, Zhang needs to rely on his first-serve percentage to gain free points and mount pressure on Dimitrov's return game. Power from the baseline, especially off the forehand wing, might potentially give Dimitrov headaches if he is allowed to dominate. However, Zhang still has much work ahead of him, notably his second serve, which has been an Achilles heel in some recent matches where he was exposed to break points.
The first serve's been a weapon from Zhang, who won 80% of the points behind it in his last match. When his forehand's firing, he can take charge of rallies and hit through opponents on the fast surfaces.
And his return game and second serve have been liabilities. He did not convert any break points against Karatsev in his last match. Also, Zhang's mental game has been shaky under pressure, which contributes to this losing streak of his.
Expert Betting Tips
Grigor Dimitrov is the clear favorite coming into this matchup. His superior court craft, taken in conjunction with his run to the final in Stockholm last week, should give him all the confidence he needs to take control of this encounter. Zhang has struggled for consistency and, unless he can massively raise his level, experience and versatility will likely prove too much for Dimitrov.
- Grigor Dimitrov Wins & Under 25.5 Games @ 1.837 Odds
- Grigor Dimitrov (-1.5) Games Handicap @ 1.88 Odds
- Grigor Dimitrov Wins 2-0 @ 1.90 Odds
Other predictions
