Grigor Dimitrov vs Rinky Hijikata Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP National Bank Open

Prediction published on 07/08/2024, 13:43  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/08/2024 at 15:58 in ATP National Bank Open Predictions

Seventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov opens his Rogers Cup campaign against a qualifier. He takes on Australia's Rinky Hijikata for a place in the last 16. The scheduled seeded opponent in the next round is Ben Shelton. Here's our match prediction.

Dimitrov is the world number ten but up to ninth in the live rankings. The Bulgarian is playing his first tournament since reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon. Now he's looking to carry on from the form shown in his last hard court tournament.

That was in Miami where he made it all the way to the final, only to lose to Jannik Sinner. He beat Carlos Alcaraz, Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev in that tournament. He's won one hard court title this year being victorious in Brisbane and also getting to the final in Marseille.

Rinky Hijikata hasn't anywhere near that level of success. In the latest world ranking list he's down at 74th place. He's had one previous match against Dimitrov and that was in the Brisbane tournament that Dimitrov went on to win. Hijikata only won five games in that match.

Hijikata had  lost his last four matches before entering the qualifying rounds of this tournament. He had problems in his final qualifying match after losing the first set to Alexis Galameau  (who's beaten him twice this year) and eventually won via a third-set tie-break.

Round one of the main draw saw him beat fellow qualifier Taro Daniel in straight sets. We tip Dimitrov to win this in straight sets.