Grigor Dimitrov can dominate Aussie hope Millman

ATP & WTA Brisbane International
BT Sport 1 & Eurosport, from 1am Thursday night

Reigning Brisbane International champion Grigor Dimitrov is the star attraction on Thursday as he plays his first match of the season and the Bulgarian should breeze past Australia's John Millman.

Dimitrov, who had the best year of his career in 2017 culminating in taking home the ATP World Tour Finals trophy, is a short price to retain the title that he won by defeating Kei Nishikori in last year's final.

The 26-year-old's primary aim this season will be to go deeper in the Grand Slams and a strong run in Brisbane will likely set him up for another tilt at the Australian Open, where he was beaten in the semi-finals last year.

Millman has been steadily working his way back from an injury that saw the home hope miss the first half of last season, but even at his best he's not in the same class as Dimitrov.

A first-round win over Peter Polansky proved Millman's wellbeing but Dimitrov won't have to be fully fit in order to dominate this one. He is a proven performer in Queensland and should win with relative ease.

In the final round of Hopman Cup group matches (Eurosport 2, 9.30am), Swiss duo Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic are aiming to knock out last year's finalists Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe of the USA.

Recommendation
G Dimitrov to win 2-0
1pt 8-11 Betway