US Open 2011 Preview: Gael Monfils vs. Grigor Dimitrov

Gael Monfils has a difficult opener against 20 year old Grigor Dimitrov at the US Open. This is one of the more fascinating opening round battles between world number seven Monfils and one of the best teenagers in the game in Dimitrov.

Everyone has been talking about a big breakthrough for the Bulgarian for a while but his progress this year has been more along the lines of slow and steady. Nevertheless he's still worked his way up to 52 in the world and he has the skills to really push Monfils on Grandstand Arena tonight. Monfils delivered a very good showing in New York last year, reaching the quarters and he's had a superb summer, making the Washington final and the latter stages of Montreal and Cincinnati, getting beat by Novak Djokovic both times.

With his speed and athleticism he'll be happy to rally with Dimitrov and stay out there all day and so the Bulgarian's best chance is if he can use that shot-making talent and all-round-game to keep the points short.

Monfils is the favourite and should progress but don't underestimate Dimitrov, he pushed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga very close at Wimbledon and tested David Ferrer a few weeks ago.

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