Daniil Medvedev is making a quick return to the court after clinching his first title in over two years at an ATP event in Almaty. The 2021 US Open champion is set to face Nuno Borges in his opening match at the ATP Vienna tournament. This matchup is one of three anticipated contests on Day 3 of the event, with additional predictions made separately for matches involving Jannik Sinner and Daniel Altmaier.
In the first match preview, Czech player Tomas Machac is slated to compete against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. Machac holds a 1-0 advantage over Cobolli from their previous encounter at the United Cup earlier this year, where he showcased a dominant performance with his relentless backhand. Given the matchup dynamics, Machac is likely to secure another victory if he maintains his form on the indoor hard court.
The second contest features Alex de Minaur facing Filip Misolic, marking their first meeting on tour. De Minaur has been in formidable shape, having reached at least the quarterfinals in his last three tournaments, including a strong showing at the Shanghai Masters. Misolic, although a resilient player, lacks the firepower and consistency to keep up with de Minaur’s speed and skill, making the Australian the favorite to win this round.
In the much-anticipated match between Medvedev and Borges, the head-to-head record favors Medvedev, who has triumphed in all three prior meetings. Medvedev’s recent victory in Almaty represents a significant turnaround, especially after making a bold coaching change following the US Open. The Russian player’s ability to wear down opponents in rallies and deliver powerful serves should provide a considerable edge against Borges, who has yet to demonstrate enough firepower to threaten the 2023 Italian Open champion.
As Medvedev seeks to build momentum from his recent success, the tournament in Vienna offers him a valuable opportunity to solidify his comeback and enhance his standing on the ATP tour. The excitement ahead as these thrilling matches unfold in Vienna promises to showcase the best of professional tennis.