The 2021 edition of the ATP Lyon Open promises to be an enthralling one as the 28 player draw is a stacked one. Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the top two seeds accompanied by young hopefuls in Jannik Sinner and Ugo Humbert. Action begins on Day 1 with four first round matches scheduled. We preview and predict all four matches scheduled.
ATP Lyon Open Day 1 Predictions
Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Sebastian Korda
Head to head – First Meeting
Neither player has had a decent enough clay court season so far. Sebastian Korda burst through the tennis arena at last year’s French Open but a repeat of that performance looks unlikely given his troubles on the red dirt so far. The American is a solid baseline hitter but his defenses is something he’ll be keen on to improve to be more competitive on the clay.
His first round opponent is Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who himself has had no form in the singles arena so far. The Frenchman however plays his best in home conditions in front of his home crowd. Herbert is yet to face Korda but it’ll be an interesting match to watch as the Frenchman’s serve and volley tactics engages with Korda’s heavy groundstrokes. Expect a slugfest with Herbest just clinching it.
Prediction: Herbert in 3
Corentin Moutet vs Cameron Norrie
Head to head – First Meeting
This one promises to be a tight contest. Corentin Moutet has played at a decent level this clay court season but the Frenchman is capable of much more than his results suggests. His first round here though is not an easy one against Cameron Norrie, who’s enjoying a great 2021 so far.
Norris is 18-9 this year with a final appearance in Estoril earlier this month. His game looks good this year and should start as the slight favourite in this match. Moutet will make it interesting but Norrie carries better form and that should prove decisive in the end.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head to head – Nishioka 1-0 Humbert
Ugo Humbert has fallen off the radar a bit as the Frenchman has just the one win so far in the clay court season. With a win loss record of 7-9 this year, Humbert will no doubt be looking to turn around his season and no better time to do it just before Roland Garros.
Yoshihito Nishioka has just three wins this year but the Japanese has beaten Humbert in their sole past meeting. However that was on a hard court and on a clay court, Humbert’s groundstrokes will prove to be more powerful. Nishioka’s serving will not be earning him a lot of free points which Humbert should make full use of. The Frenchman should win this.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
Aljaz Bedene vs Gilles Simon
Head to head – Bedene 3-1 Simon
It’s heartening to still see Gilles Simon on the main tour. The Frenchman is now 36 years old but his will to out rally his opponent is undiluted. Home conditions should invigorate Simon as his 2021 season could use a jolt. However that’ll be easier said than done against Aljaz Bedene.
The Slovenian leads the head to head 3-1 but this is their first meeting on clay. Bedene’s game is built on being super consistent much like Simon. Expect a lot of long rallies throughout this match as neither player would find it easy to hold serve. Simon should draw on the home crowd support to help him nab a set but Bedene looks better positioned to take the win.
Prediction: Bedene in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
