ATP Belgrade Open 2021: Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco- Preview, Head to head and Prediction
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Lucas Pouille and Fernando Verdasco
World No.84 Lucas Pouille will take on World No.107 Fernando Verdasco, in the opening round of the 2021 Belgrade Open on May 24.
Match Details:
| Tournament | Belgrade Open 2021 |
| Match | Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco |
| Round | First Round |
| Date | 24th May, 2021 |
| Prize Money | €5,275 |
| Venue | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Surface | Clay Court |
Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco: Preview
The Frenchman is coming into this match high with only four matches on the clay for 2021. After exiting the tournament in the opening round itself in Marbella, early in the season, Pouille entered the Monte Carlo Masters, but got dumped in the third round in Monaco. He was not seen in action at any of the 1000 Masters in Madrid or Rome. The former top-10 player has is now in Belgrade and will be hoping to get some match practice, before he heads home to play Roland Garros. The 27-year-old won his sole title on the surface in Budapest in 2017.
On the other hand, the Spaniard has lost all the three matches he has played on the dirt season. His recent struggles with form and injuries have also pushed him outside of the top-100 for the first time since 2004. The 37-year-old had also tested positive for Covid-19 recently. Verdasco has lost three first round matches this year in Estoril, Madrid and Geneva. Given his recent, poor run on the clay, nothing much is expected from this ATP veteran this week in Belgrade.
Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco: Head to Head
These two have met twice on the ATP tour till now. They are locked at 1-1. Their first meeting came in 2016 on the clay at Bucharest. The Spaniard was victorious on that occasion. However, in their previous meeting, it was the Frenchman who prevailed on the hard courts of Shanghai.
Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco: Prediction
Two former top 10 players could make this contest an interesting one. Both players haven’t tasted any success at all this season. That said, Pouille has won three matches this year, while Verdasco hasn’t even won a set in 2021. This match isn’t expected to produce quality tennis. In fact, their scratchy tennis could even take this match into a decider. Either way, Pouille will have the edge over his opponent.
Match Prediction: Lucas Pouille should win in three sets.
Also read: French Open 2021 Qualifiers: Draw, Top seeds, Wild Cards, Schedule, How and Where to watch?
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Vivek Krishnan
(767 Articles Published)