Grigor Dimitrov vs Emil Ruusuvuori Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Washington Citi Open

Prediction published on 03/08/2023, 03:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 03/08/2023 at 04:30 in Tennis Predictions

World number 20 Grigor Dimitrov will take on 53rd-ranked Emil Ruusuvuori in the round of 16 at the ATP Washington Open on Thursday. The winner of this match will face either Ugo Humbert or Yosuke Watanuki in the quarter-final. These two have met twice this year, and Dimitrov won both encounters. The Bulgarian has had a solid season to date, improving his ranking from 33rd in May to inside the top 20 at present. He has made one final appearance this year which came in Geneva, where he was beaten by Nicolas Jarry in straight sets. Thereafter, he made it to the last 16 at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with a quarter-final showing at the Queen’s Club in between. In the last round, Dimitrov took on Mackenzie McDonald, and after a hard-fought first set that went to a tiebreaker, the Bulgarian showed his class in the second, losing just two games. He is now 26-13 for the year and 5-4 on the hard court. Dimitrov is the out-and-out favourite to win this match, according to the bookmakers.

Meanwhile, following a relatively straightforward win over Constant Lestienne in the opening round, Ruusuvuori was drawn against last year's finalist Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round. Ruusuvuori was leading the first set 4-2, but the Japanese player turned it around and broke twice to claim the set but was unable to keep up the momentum as the Finn secured the final two sets and the match in just over two hours. Ruusuvuori’s best performance this season came in the Netherlands, where he reached the semi-final beating Jannik Sinner but was unable to overcome Tallon Griekspoor in the penultimate match. His record currently reads as 23-21 for the year and 11-8 on the hard court. He has been beaten by this opponent twice this year in France and London and will likely find it difficult in this one as well.