TennisSection previews the 2021 Barcelona Open as Frances Tiafoe meets Carlos Alcaraz in the First Round on Tuesday, April 20th 2021.
Will Carlos Alcaraz continue to impress everyone on the ATP Tour in 2021 as he looks to beat another big name in the last few months? Will Frances Tiafoe use his few more years of experience to keep the youngster in his place as he looks to make his way to the Second Round of the 2021 Barcelona Open? Both players can win this one if they are at their best, however, only one will. Who will it be?
Frances Tiafoe has not yet played on clay this month, having last played at the 2021 Miami Open where he was able to make the Round of 16. However, Frances Tiafoe did get some minutes on the clay this year at the Argentina and Chile Open a few months ago, losing in the Second Round of both tournaments. Unfortunately for Frances Tiafoe, I think that clay is not one of his best surfaces as he is unable to play his usual style of tennis where he aims to finish points off quickly. Frances Tiafoe will have to ensure he is at his absolute best here at the 2021 Barcelona Open as he meets a clay-court lover in Carlos Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to have another very successful week at a Spanish tournament just as a couple weeks ago when he was able to make the Semi-finals of the 2021 Andalucia Open, losing to Jaume Munar. Carlos Alcaraz is going to be the future of Spanish tennis and he will want to ensure he continues to improve week after week as everyone has high expectations of him because of his amazing game and power on the court. Alcaraz looks very strong on clay as he is a great mover around the court, and he is so good at hitting through his opponents on this surface even if we don’t see that very often on clay. How will the young Spaniard fare against the experienced American in Frances Tiafoe?
Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz have never met before, with this being their first meeting on the ATP Tour. Although Frances Tiafoe has played 180 matches on the ATP Tour in his 6 year career, and he has been able to win a tournament, I just do not see him being anywhere near the level he used to be at. Tiafoe has struggled with form for the last couple of years, and I am never confident in backing him in a match. On the other hand, looking at Carlos Alcaraz, I see a star of the future who is already shining, and ready to prove himself even more in his home country in a big tournament like the 2021 Barcelona Open. I expect this perhaps to be a 3-setter just because Tiafoe has some experience, but Alcaraz will win.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win.
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