Damien Kayat previews the San Diego Open round of 32 matches featuring Marton Fucsovics vs Grigor Dimitrov as well as Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori.
2021 ATP Tour
ATP 250 Series
San Diego Open
Barnes Tennis Centre, San Diego, California
Selected Round of 32 Matches- 28th-29th September
Marton Fucsovics 8/10 | Grigor Dimitrov 98/100
You wonder how many Slams Grigor Dimitrov may have won had he played in another era. A three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist and 2017 ATP Finals Champion, Dimitrov actually began 2021 in pretty fine style. He reached the quarterfinals of the Aussie Open but has failed to really build on that performance. It’s really been the case of that age-old Dimitrov enemy: injuries. He was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to back spasms that actually plagued his Aussie Open quarterfinal. He then had to withdraw from the US Open due to a foot injury. So, it’s all really depending on fitness for the uber-talented Bulgarian. The eight-time ATP Tour champion will be hoping for a decent late-season surge to offset what has been a largely forgettable season.
It’s surreal to think that Fucsovics is only a year younger than Dimotrov. The 29-year-old Hungarian has perhaps never possessed the raw talent of the Bulgarian. But his career- by contrast- seems to have enjoyed a more natural progression. He won his only title at the 2018 Geneva Open. But he has hovered in and around the top 30 for the last three years. He reached his first ATP 500 final earlier this year in Rotterdam. He also enjoyed a considerable Grand Slam breakthrough, reaching the quarterfinals of a Slam for the first time at Wimbledon. But since then, it has been pretty dire for Fucsovics. First-round defeats in Cincinnati and the US Open were sandwiched by a second-round appearance at Winston-Salem. He also lost to Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round of last week’s Moselle Open.
Verdict: Dimitrov to win at 98/100
The Hungarian leads the Bulgarian 2-0 in their career head-to-head meetings. Both of those victories came in 2020. But 2-0 doesn’t really give you the full scope of those meetings. Fucsovics needed three sets in Cincinnati before surviving a bruising five-set thriller at Flushing Meadows. I have the feeling that Dimitrov could exact some revenge in this match. He should benefit from the slightly less pressured environment this week.
Andy Murray (5/4) vs Kei Nishikori (62/100)
As far as wildcard clashes go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Despite losing in that epic five-set match to Tsitsipas at the US Open, Murray did manage to remind the world that he isn’t a completely spent force in men’s tennis. Murray actually comes into this encounter after an encouraging week in Metz. He reached the quarterfinals of the Moselle Open in a morale boosting performance. This was his first quarterfinal appearance since 2019. The Scot is slowly edging his way to a semblance of form. He is hoping that a late flurry of events can bring back some much-needed fitness. But is he forcing the issue this week? This will be Murray’s 3rd consecutive weekly event. Is he perhaps adopting the wrong approach in his attempts to recapture his best form? He obviously thinks that he needs court time. He will be wondering what he needs to do to finally run into a highly favourable first-round opponent.
Kei Nishikori will be making his first appearance on the tour since his 3rd round defeat to eventual finalist Novak Djokovic at the US Open. Nishikori did show some form during the US Open Series, reaching the semi-final of the Washington Open. Nishikori possesses a terrible record against all four members of the ‘Big Four’ (I’m being a little kind to Murray here). He is 9-47 against the best four players of this era. Two of those victories came against Nishikori. This match may represent an opportunity for him to grab a rare win against this quartet. Though he has certainly had his own fair share of injury demons, the Japanese star has actually compiled a pretty solid 2021 campaign (his win-loss record for the season sits at 25-16). He also reached the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.
Verdict: Nishikori to win at 62/100
This will be the 12th career meeting between Murray and Nishikori. Murray comfortably leads the head-to-head 9-2. Having said that, they haven’t met on the tour since the 2017 season (injuries have really scuppered their rivalry). I think that Murray may be feeling the effects of his recent load of tennis. Nishikori to win in three at 29/10 seems like a good option (both of these guys tend to go all the way in matches). You can also take the Japanese to win at 62/100 for a bit more security.
