The 2024 Laver Cup will conclude its first day with a singles match between Grigor Dimitrov of Team Europe and Alejandro Tabilo of Team World on Friday night.
Even if niggling injuries have reared their head in 2024, the Bulgarian has had an encouraging year on the ATP Tour, and the experienced operator is the favourite to notch the win over his Chilean opponent in a rematch of their titanic three-set battle in Miami six months back.
Match preview
Dimitrov's 2024 has been admirable, with the Bulgarian experiencing his first quarter-final run at the big four leading events on the tennis calendar since the 2021 Australian Open.
The Bulgarian advancing to the quarters in Paris and recently at the US Open was the first time since 2014 that he progressed to the last eight of more than one Major in a calendar year.
While a quest for a second semi-final US Open appearance ended after the 33-year-old was forced to retire in the last-eight battle with Frances Tiafoe, he returns to the court at this year's Laver Cup after replacing Rafael Nadal.
However, the world No. 10's sharpness remains uncertain, as he has not played a match since his encounter with Tiafoe at the beginning of the month.
Tabilo undoubtedly hopes to face a rusty Dimitrov on Friday, with the Chilean entering the 2024 event on a worrisome losing streak.
The 27-year-old is winless in singles or doubles since a two-set success over Lorenzo Sonego at the Canadian Masters last month, underscoring the troubles of the world No. 22, who enters this year's tournament on the back of a six-match losing sequence.
The Laver Cup debutant aims to snap that unwanted streak against his more experienced opponent, keen to notch the guaranteed point for Team World on day one after Casper Ruud faces off with Francisco Cerundolo and Stefanos Tsitsipas battles Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second singles match-up of the event.
Being the fourth-ranked player on Team World, behind Taylor Fritz, Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, the out-of-form 27-year-old hopes to play a pivotal role against a Team Europe side close to full power.
Head To Head
Miami Masters (2024) - Round of 64:Dimitrov 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-2
Both men have faced off once on the ATP Tour, with Dimitrov coming out victorious in a tightly contested three-setter in Miami en route to the final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner.
Despite recent struggles, Tabilo has notched two titles in 2024, one more than the experienced player's sole success.
Unlike the Chilean, Dimitrov has previous Laver Cup experience, albeit seven years ago in the 2018 event where he beat Tiafoe in his only singles match and lost in doubles with David Goffin against Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock.
We say: Dimitrov to win in three sets
Much will depend on Dimitrov's sharpness, having not played competitive tennis since exiting the US Open due to injury.
Regardless, we are backing the smooth operator to outwit Tabilo if everything comes together on the court, thus extending the Chilean's winless sequence.
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