Is Alex finally cleaning his room?

The American with a fifty-something’s face is emerging from a very dark spell that began in Toronto in early August. Should his R1 be reassuring?

Having an “easy” first round to get your feet wet isn’t bad at all. Especially since you still had to go beat the local guy, Beibit! Sure, the matchup favored the American, who had every chance to dictate. So I’m not jumping to the ceiling shouting that he’s back. And I have to admit I kind of struggle to read him. Still, I can’t fault him for not having a good fighter’s mentality. As for Vukic, I have to say it’s a bit the same: I find him hard to read. Marcos really believes in him right now. I’m a bit more on the fence. I’ve got matches in mind—like the ones against Dzumhur and Nishioka—that don’t exactly inspire confidence. And I often notice a dip in his level during matches. He’s defending a semi here after an excellent run in 2024. But the low bounce doesn’t really help him, I think. The altitude a bit more, when his topspin helps keep the ball in and makes his backhand a slightly smaller liability. I’m mixed on the matchup too. Two guys with similar profiles—looking to move forward with a serve/forehand combo—but with different styles. To be honest, I’m wary of both players, either way. If the odds allow, I’ve got a ready-made bet, but I wouldn’t mind your thoughts on the ML...