Vukic's Turn to Shine?

It's been quite a rough year for Vukic, can he turn it around a bit toward the end?

Vukic's opening round against Goffin in Hangzhou was not the best, but it was his first round there after playing Davis Cup, and they had to wait and play really late in the evening, so we can accept it a bit more! I found his performance in the next match against Bublik to be really good (Bublik was unplayable all week). He has gone through qualifiers here with two solid wins, serving exceptionally well. Vukic's game benefits significantly from the conditions in the Asian swing; he has a good first serve, a very flat backhand, and a forehand with enough power to finish points. I find his rally tolerance quite decent at the moment, and I've been impressed with his tennis IQ ever since I watched him lose in five sets to Brooksby in the US Open. His weakness is, for sure, his movement and when he is pulled into the forecourt. Dzumhur's season has been quite the opposite of Vukic's. He has managed to play consistently on the main tour and has played a lot of entertaining matches, including against top players. His loss against Etcheverry was quite expected, since he came with short rest after having played Davis Cup on clay in South America.

If you've read my previews in Dzumhur's matches this season, you know I'm a huge fan! However, I have the feeling that the momentum is with Vukic here. These Tokyo courts reward first-strike tennis, and that is definitely more suitable for Vukic compared to a counterpuncher like Dzumhur. He has a better serve and more powerful forehand, while still being able to hang in rallies when needed. Vukic's ML was 1.30~ when he beat Dzumhur in five sets at the Australian Open earlier this year, what about now?