TennisSection previews the 2021 Madrid Masters as Grigor Dimitrov (13) meets Iloyd Harris in the First Round on Monday May 3rd, 2021.
A very exciting encounter is expected at the 2021 Madrid Masters between Grigor Dimitrov and Lloyd Harris. This should be one of the better matches of the First Round, with both players having solid seasons so far in 2021. Can the big-serving South African Harris cause the upset, or will the thirteenth seeded Bulgarian get the win as expected and move onto the Second Round?
Grigor Dimitrov is the #13 seed here at the 2021 Madrid Masters, and is currently ranked #17 in the ATP world rankings. The Bulgarian star has been one of the most consistent performers on the tour for the past 10 years, and is a seasoned and very experienced veteran. Dimitrov is much better known for his hard court success, but has a good record on clay, with one career title on the surface. He is having a typically consistent season so far in 2021, with three Quarter-Finals, including at the Australian Open. The veteran is always a tough opponent with his all-around game, and has no real weaknesses that can be exploited. His last match on clay was a bad loss to Rafael Nadal at the Monte-Carlo Open, but against that opponent he could not have been too disappointed. Dimitrov enters this match against Lloyd Harris as the favorite.
Lloyd Harris is currently ranked #53 in the ATP world rankings and has been having a solid yet inconsistent year so far in 2021. The South African reached his first ATP Final in Dubai but has failed to string together consistent results since. While is known as a very talented player, he has very little clay court experience and has only won two matches on the surface in his career. His serve is his biggest weapon and that is somewhat diminished on the slower surfaces, so there is very little to suggest that he is capable of defeating his opponent Grigor Dimitrov on this surface. He enters this First Round match at the 2021 Madrid Masters as the underdog and it will truly take a big effort on his part to get a result here.
This will be the first time that the two players are meeting on the ATP Tour, and their head to head record stands at 0-0. While both players have been having good seasons so far, there is only one likely outcome and that is a straight sets win for Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian has a wealth of experience on this surface while Lloyd Harris does not, and his much more versatile game should see him to victory here. Harris is much better suited to the faster surfaces and he will likely continue to struggle on clay. Expect Grigor Dimitrov to win here and advance to the Second Round here at the 2021 Madrid Masters.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Grigor Dimitrov to win.
Want more Free Tennis Picks from our Experts? Check out our latest Tennis Predictions now!
