Grigor Dimitrov vs Alexei Popyrin Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP National Bank Open

Prediction published on 08/08/2024, 19:57  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/08/2024 at 20:16 in Tennis Predictions

Grigor Dimitrov is seeded seventh in this year’s Rogers Cup. The Bulgarian is up against unseeded Alexei Popyrin in the third round of this hard court Masters event. Time to look at this match and make our prediction.

Dimitrov made smooth progress in his opening match on Thursday. He beat the qualifier Rinky Hijikata for the loss of one game in the first set.  Now he faces another Australian as he looks to go deep in another hard court tournament.

The world number ten has risen a place in the live rankings and is 12th in the ATP Race. This year has seen him enjoy success on hard courts with a title won in Brisbane right at the start of 2024. Two more finals were reached in Marseille and Miami. Perhaps he loves places beginning with an M?

Dimitrov has had hard court wins this year over three of the top four players in the rankings. The seeded opponent for the winner of this match is the fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Alexei Popyrin is the world number 62 but in February was a career-high 38th. The Australian is up to 54th in the live rankings and beating Dimitrov can take him back into the world's top 50. He's reached one ATP hard court semi-final this year, that was in Doha.

This week, he's beaten Tomas Machac and 11th seed Ben Shelton with both wins coming in straight sets. He's 1-1 in previous matches with Dimitrov. Both were played on hard courts but this is their first meeting since 2021.  DImitrov retired in the match Popyrin won.

We tip Dimitrov to win in straight sets.