2021 Australian Open First Round – Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon on and what time does it start? Tuesday 9th February, 2021 – not before 09:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Gilles Simon in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas was able to perform well for Greece in the ATP Cup this season with two impressive victories over Alex de Minaur and Roberto Bautista Agut.
- The 22-year-old burst onto the scene at the Australian Open tow years ago when he beat Roger Federer in the round of 16 before losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
GILLES SIMON
- 36-year-old Gilles Simon is in the twilight of his career now but still capable of beating the top players on tour, with a victory over Denis Shapovalov at last season’s Cologne Open 2 his most recent example.
- The world number 66 has not made it past the second round of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2018 and in fact lost at this stage of the Australian Open last year – to Shapovalov.
THE PREDICTION
A first career meeting between world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas and French veteran Gilles Simon, who reached number six at the peak of his career, should be an entertaining conclusion to the first round of the Australian Open. Tsitsipas exploded onto the scene at this tournament two years ago by reaching the semi-finals but the Greek star will be targeting nothing else but a title this time around such is his determination. Simon is the kind of player who can patiently wait for a chink in the armour and if Tsitsipas was in middling form there would certainly be a case for this match going all the way. However, the 22-year-old was imperious at the ATP Cup last week and should have no trouble seeing this match through in straight sets to make a statement as a title contender on his side of the draw.
