Match Details
Fixture: (5) Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Date: August 2, 2024
Tournament: Mubadala Citi DC Open
Round: Third round
Venue: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, Washington DC
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $368,585
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel (USA) | TSN (Canada) | Sky Sports (UK)
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic preview
Fifth seed Frances Tiafoe will take on Aleksandar Kovacevic in the third round of the Citi Open on Friday.
Tiafoe has made a decent start to the season by chalking up 17 wins from 34 matches, including a runner-up finish in the U.S Men’s Claycourt Championships in Houston. He also reached the semifinals of the Delray Beach Open, where he lost to Tommy Paul in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
The American entered Washington on the back of a quarterfinal exit in Atlanta. He began his campaign with a solid win against Aslan Karatsev, but couldn’t make his mark against Yoshihito Nishioka. Tiafoe got back to winning ways at the Citi Open by outfoxing Daniel Elahi Galan in the first round, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Aleksandar Kovacevic has made a modest start to the season by garnering nine wins from 24 matches, including quarterfinal runs in the Los Cabos Open and the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport. He also reached the second round of the Australian Open, where he lost to Karen Khachanov in four sets.
The American entered Washington on the back of a first round exit in Atlanta. He started his campaign with emphatic wins over Yoshihito Nishioka and Roberto Carballes Baena in the first two rounds. Kovacevic defeated the Spaniard Carballes Baena in a grueling two hour encounter, 7-6(4), 7-6(3).
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic head-to-head
The head-to-head between Tiafoe and Kovacevic is 0-0.
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic prediction
Frances Tiafoe captured three titles on the main tour last year but is yet to open his account in 2024. He was one win away from defending his title in Houston, but Ben Shelton stood in his way in the finals. With the top players on tour not participating in Washington, the American will fancy his chances of making a deep at the Citi Open.
Kovacevic has also been putting in the hard yards to find his feet at the highest level. His best result on tour came in 2022 when he reached the semifinals of the Korea Open. The 25-year-old has served well to navigate past first grade opponents in the last two matches. He will be hoping to be on song against Tiafoe in the third round.
The Washington crowd can expect a tricky battle between the duo. Considering their recent results and previous record at the Citi Open, Tiafoe will be a slight favorite to pass this test and enter the quarterfinals.
Pick: Tiafoe to win in three sets.
Edited by Aayush Kapoor
