TennisSection previews the 2021 Estoril Open as Cristian Garin (2) meets Richard Gasquet in the Second Round on Thursday, April 29th, 2021.
We have youth against experience in this very strong matchup in the Second Round of the 2021 Estoril Open, but only one will make their way to the Quarter-finals. Who will it be? Will it be the up and coming Cristian Garin who loves playing on the clay? Will it be the experienced and flamboyant Richard Gasquet who has struggled with injuries for the best part of the last few years?
Richard Gasquet put on a very solid performance in the First Round, beating the clay-lover, Juan Ignacio Londero, in straight sets 6-3/7-5. Richard Gasquet has struggled a lot recently with form due to injury issues preventing him from playing at his best. Richard Gasquet has one of the best playing styles on the ATP Tour, being so flamboyant and moving around the court so elegantly that you just never know what you’re going to get from the Frenchman. However, I fear that he does not have the level of game anymore to compete with the young and up and coming players who are continuously building on their confidence. How will he fare against the young Cristian Garin here at the 2021 Estoril Open?
Cristian Garin will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week at the 2021 Barcelona Open where he lost to Kei Nishikori in 3 sets. Cristian Garin is a very solid player on clay-courts, especially in smaller ATP 250 tournaments, but he will be lacking confidence after a few tough losses on the clay. Cristian Garin is a solid player when on top of his game, but he needs to be able to keep that level of play up as that is what distinguishes a Top 30 player and a Top 10 player. I fully expect the Chilean to become much better on clay in the next couple of years, but I don’t know what he can achieve in 2021, especially against tough opponents in Richard Gasquet.
Richard Gasquet and Cristian Garin have never met before, with this being their first meeting on the ATP Tour. We are definitely in for a very tight encounter in this Second Round of the 2021 Estoril Open. Both players are very strong in these clay court conditions, but I think that Richard Gasquet is going to have an edge in this match. Cristian Garin has not played in Estoril yet this year, whilst Gasquet has gotten a good win under his belt. Additionally, I think that Richard Gasquet’s fast-paced and flat ball playing style will result in Cristian Garin trying to outpower the Frenchman, resulting in more errors. It will be a 3-setter, but Richard Gasquet will make his way to the Quarter-finals of the 2021 Estoril Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Richard Gasquet in 3 Sets.
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