Grigor Dimitrov vs Christopher O'Connell Prediction & Betting Tips - Chengdu, China

Prediction published on 23/09/2023, 05:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 23/09/2023 at 23:55 in Tennis Predictions

Third seed Grigor Dimitrov takes on unseeded Christopher O'Connell in the hard court Chengdu quarter finals. The winner could face top seed Alexander Zverev in the last four with seventh seeded Miomir Kecmanovic another possible opponent. Dimitrov is 19th in the live rankings, up a place this week and playing his first tournament since reaching the last 32 of the US Open. He's looking to reach his second recent semi-final after a run to the last four in Washington. Dimitrov has only made it to one final this year and that was achieved on clay. In Chengdu, the 32-year-old has beaten unseeded Juan Pablo Virallas in straight sets, losing only seven games.

Christopher O'Connell was ranked  a career high 53rd at the start of this tournament. The Australian is five places lower in the live rankings as he's about to drop the points earned when reaching the last four in San Diego last year. A win over Dimitrov will take him into the top 40. O'Connell struggled on the American hard court tour with only one main draw victory. After losing in the last 64 of the US Open he headed to the Challenger Tour winning a title in Shanghai but losing in the last eight of the Guangzhou tournament being beaten by Terence Atmane who was ranked 173rd at the time. Back on the ATP Tour, he has had two straight sets wins over a qualifier and then Taro Daniel. This is going to be tougher and we tip Dimitrov to get the victory.