TennisSection previews the 2021 Lyon Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) meets Tommy Paul in the Round of 16 on Thursday May 20th, 2021.
Can the young American Tommy Paul cause the massive upset over world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas? The two will meet in the Round of 16 at the 2021 Lyon Open in a match that looks like a comfortable win for the Greek superstar on paper. However, we all know that anything can happen. Can Paul cause the shock of the tournament and eliminate the second seed?
Stefanos Tsitsipas is seeded second here at the 2021 Lyon Open, and is currently ranked #5 in the ATP world rankings. The Greek star has firmly established himself as one of the top players in the world so far this season, winning his first Masters title in Monte-Carlo a few weeks ago. Tsitsipas has been incredibly consistent so far this season, leading the tour in match wins, and boasting a 12-3 record on clay. His big game has translated well to this surface, and he must be considered one of the main contenders for the title here in Rome. Tsitsipas enters this match against Tommy Paul as the overwhelming favorite, and he seeks to extend his lead in the ATP Race to Turin by having yet another strong showing this week.
Tommy Paul is currently ranked #53 in the ATP world rankings, not far off from his career-high of #51. The American has been having a strong year so far in 2021, but is much better known for his hard court prowess. He is yet to advance past the Second Round in any clay court event, a puzzling statistic for a player near the top 50. Paul had a good start to his 2021 Lyon Open campaign, defeating French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets, serving extremely well and not facing a single break point. Despite that win, he will have to be much better here against Stefanos Tsitsipas, as the Greek star has perhaps been the best and most consistent player in the world this year, and Paul enters this match as the massive underdog.
This will be the second meeting between the two players on the ATP Tour, with Stefanos Tsitsipas leading the head to head series 1-0. The Greek star won their only career meeting in 2019 in Washington, in straight sets. With how his current form has been, I see this result being no different here. Tsitsipas has evolved into one of the very best players in the world, and Tommy Paul has struggled mightily on this surface. This match should be relatively straightforward, with Tsitsipas getting the win, advancing to yet another ATP Quarter-Final here at the 2021 Lyon Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in straight sets.
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