US Open 2024: Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (20) Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Date: Monday, August 26, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, U.S.
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic preview
Home favorite Frances Tiafoe is slated to open his US Open campaign against compatriot Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round on Monday, August 26.
Tiafoe heads into New York with a 24-19 match record. He had a subpar first half of the season, reaching the finals in Houston and the semifinals in Delray Beach but struggling almost everywhere else. He struggled through the clay and grass court swings but finished on a high with a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the third round at Wimbledon.
Tiafoe turned his season around at the start of the American hardcourt swing. He reached the semifinals at the Citi Open, defeating top seed Andrey Rublev before falling to compatriot Sebastian Korda. He carried that momentum into Cincinnati, where he advanced to his first Masters 1000 final with wins over fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz and Holger Rune. In the final, he faced top seed Jannik Sinner and lost 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Kovacevic heads into the US Open with a 9-17 match record. He began the year by advancing through the Australian Open qualifiers and reaching the second round, where he lost to 15th seed Karen Khachanov. Kovacevic made the quarterfinals in Los Cabos, falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. He reached another quarterfinal in Newport after a series of disappointing first-round exits that began in Indian Wells but fell to third seed Alex Michelsen.
During the American hardcourt swing, Kovacevic reached the third round at the Citi Open. He successfully navigated the qualifiers in Cincinnati, defeating seeded players Pedro Martinez and Rinky Hijikata, but was eliminated by Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round.
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic head-to-head
Frances Tiafoe leads Aleksandar Kovacevic 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning that encounter in three tight sets 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3 less than a month ago at the Citi Open in Washington.
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Kovacevic prediction
Frances Tiafoe heads into the US Open with strong momentum following a successful American hardcourt swing, where he has amassed an 8-3 win-loss record. He impressed with a semifinal run in Washington and demonstrated it was no fluke with a splendid run to the final in Cincinnati. His forehand and serve are returning to their best form, contributing significantly to his recent success.
In contrast, Kovacevic enters New York with a decent recent record. His performances in Washington and Cincinnati were notable and he could challenge Tiafoe if he maintains that level of play. However, his struggle with consistency could be a significant hurdle in his quest to cause an upset in the first round.
Given Tiafoe's recent form and superior record at Flushing Meadows, he is expected to come through in his contest against Kovacevic. Their last encounter, however, was closely contested, so another fiercely competitive match between the American duo is quite a possibility.
Pick: Tiafoe in straight sets.