After a tremendous week of tennis, we have reached the final of the ATP Lyon Open. The two men in the final are, indeed, the two who were best all week. Who will take home the trophy, just a week before the French Open? I share my thoughts on the match, though as always feel free to share yours in the comments.
ATP Lyon Open Final Prediction
Cameron Norrie vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Coming into the tournament, Stefanos Tsitsipas was a solid favorite. The Greek is the #2 seed due to the presence of Dominic Thiem, but Thiem has been struggling recently and was easily dismissed by Cameron Norrie in the second round. In fact, while the draw was full of strong clay-courters, almost every seed lost in the second round. Tsitsipas was one of only two seeds to reach the quarterfinals, and the only Top 20 player at that stage.
There was cause for concern for the Greek before the tournament. He was excellent to start the clay season, winning the Masters title in Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona. And, honestly, losing to Rafael Nadal in a Barcelona final is a solid result. After that, though, Tsitsipas had two disappointing–though not poor–losses in Madrid and Rome. Still, the Greek wanted better form so he came to Lyon this week.
Honestly, I’m not sure what this week has shown him. Tsitsipas is great on clay. His game is very powerful on the surface, and he can control the court against anyone. Still, his form this week hasn’t been elite. It’s been good enough to get past his overmatched opponents, but that really doesn’t prove much.
Cameron Norrie, on the other hand, has proven a lot this week. The former college standout at TCU has been rapidly improving his clay game. He has now reached his second final in as many months, and he just keeps on improving every match. His serve is no longer the liability it once was, and his movement on the surface is as strong as anyone could ask for.
More importantly, Norrie is playing calmly and with confidence. In his quarterfinal against Arthur Rinderknech, he played a very poor stretch, which cost him the second set. No real damage done, though. He stayed calm, reset, and went on to easily win the third.
Norrie has faced two seeds so far this week. He has not given up more than three games in a single set in those two matches. That streak will change in the final. Winning matches against seeds? I don’t think that will. Norrie lost his last final in a heartbreaking third-set tiebreak. I think this time he collects his first career title.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
