For the second year in a row an all-American clash takes place between Frances Tiafoe and Martin Damm at the US Open.
They met in round two 12 months ago, with Tiafoe advancing in four sets, while this time around they meet in their opening match at Flushing Meadows.
Tiafoe is a heavy favorite to get the win in what is just a second ever meeting between the pair and the four-time ATP Tour winner should get the job done.
Martin Damm vs. Frances Tiafoe betting picks and predictions
Frances Tiafoe to win 3-1 (+240)
Tiafoe is expected to get the win here and is an elite-level performer, ranked 12th in the world and facing a 22-year-old that has just broken into the top 100.
This tournament tends to bring the best of Tiafoe as he is a two-time US Open semi-finalist.
For the second year in a row this American pair are facing off in New York. Tiafoe won in four sets last time and a repeat is forecast now.
His all-round game is superior, but Tiafoe's return sometimes lets him down and in Damm he faces a powerful server who sent down 27 aces when they met here last year compared to just 13 from Tiafoe.
Damm made an indoor semi-final in Montpellier earlier this year and a third-round appearance in Winston-Salem, where he took the scalp of Daniil Medvedev.
At 6' 8" tall, Damm towers on the court and that propels his exceptional serve. Longer rallies do not suit and Tiafoe's athletic ability should eventually trump his fellow American.
Tiafoe is fresh off reaching the final in Cincinnati, where he was beaten in three sets by Arthur Fils, and looks set for another deep run at the US Open, with a possible fourth-round stumbling block in the form of Novak Djokovic already cleared from his path.
First set over 10.5 games (+138)
Tiafoe earned one break of serve in the meeting here last year to win the first set, but the remaining three sets all went beyond 10 games.
Damm is an improved player this year, having risen into the world's top 100, and the first set could easily go all the way to a tie-breaker.
Tiafoe underwent minor surgery following the Canadian Open and there were some signs in Cincinnati of lingering physical discomfort. That should assist Damm in holding strong in the early stages.
Martin Damm to win over 18.5 games (-125)
Damm was the loser in four sets last year but he won 21 games. He landed the third set in a tiebreaker and dropped the second and fourth sets 7-5.
Tiafoe broke serve three times and faced only three break points on his own serve, none of which were converted by Damm.
His win over Medvedev in Winston-Salem just last week should give him belief he can compete at this level, even allowing for the fact the former US Open champ is below his best.
With a minor concern about Tiafoe's overall physical fitness, backing Damm to get at least 19 games on the scoreboard appeals in a match where service breaks are set to be at a premium.
Martin Damm vs. Frances Tiafoe odds
Martin Damm | +300 |
Frances Tiafoe | -400 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
