Business picks up at one of the most important prep events before the start of the Men’s US Open across this weekend, as the round of 32 stages continues.
American star Frances Tiafoe will be among the likely leading contenders for success at the ATP 1000 event in Toronto, but can he overcome Aleksandar Lukic at the National Bank Open on Centre Court on Friday?
Frances Tiafoe vs. Aleksandar Vukic Overview
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Friday, August 1, 2025 |
| Where | Sobeys Stadium, Toronto, Canada |
| How to Watch | Tennis Channel |
Odds
| Match Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Frances Tiafoe | -236 |
| Aleksandar Vukic | +193 |
Frances Tiafoe vs. Aleksandar Vukic Head-to-Head Record
| Total | Tiafoe | Vukic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Games on Hard Courts | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Aleksandar Vukic holds the advantage on the previous head-to-head clashes between the two starts. The only previous meeting came at an event in Almaty, with the Australian recording a straight sets success in 2024.
Match Preview
American hopes of success at the National Bank Open will be high this year, with both Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe still in the mix. Tiafoe was beaten by his compatriot in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open last month, but his game is perfectly suited to hard courts.
However, his progression through to this stage hasn’t been without its issues. Fiafoe needed all three sets to see off the unseeded Yosuke Watanuki in the previous round, eventually coming through 1-6, 7-5, 7-6. A more professional performance will be required on Friday.
Despite being the huge outsider at the prices, Australian player Aleksandar Vukic has shown flashes of his best form on the hard surface this summer. He reached the round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open last month, before losing in straight sets against top-seeded Taylor Fritz.
Vukic has already beaten a seeded opponent at the National Bank Open this year, as he showed excellent character to overcome Cameron Norrie in the previous round. In that win, he registered a staggering 13 aces.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Aleksandar Vukic Picks
Tiafoe will be a hot favorite this week, but the American’s performances since his second-round exit at Wimbledon have been far from fluent. The number of unforced errors in his previous clash will need to be addressed.
Therefore, there could be value in siding with Vukic, who also sports a positive head-to-head record against the American.
