ATP Eastbourne 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Predictions for Viking International

ATP Eastbourne 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Predictions for Viking International

Alex de Minaur, Gael Monfils and Cameron Norrie

The last grass court tournament before Wimbledon, the coveted Viking International at Eastbourne will take place from June 21. The ATP 250 event will see a mix of experience with young in form talent. Gael Monfils goes in as the top seed while Alex de Minaur is seeded second.

Tournament Details:

  • Tournament: Viking International Eastbourne
  • Date: June 21-26, 2021
  • Number of Entrants: 28 (Singles), 16 (Doubles)
  • Venue: Eastbourne, Great Britain
  • Surface: Grass Court
  • Prize Money: €547,265

Top Seeds at the Mallorca Open 2021

  • Gael Monfils
  • Alex de Minaur
  • Lorenzo Sonego
  • Reilly Opelka
  • Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
  • Albert Ramos-Vinolas

Men’s Singles Draw Analysis and Prediction

Top Half

Gael Monfils
Gael Monfils

The top half of the draw is headlined by Frenchman Gael Monfils. He has been struggling with form but has been handed the easiest of draws at Eastbourne. He gets a bye in the first round alongwith third seed Lorenzo Sonego. In the second round, he will face a qualifier and could go on to face another qualifier in the last 8. The only threat to the top seed will be seventh seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The Spaniard opens his campaign against Emil Ruusuvuori and could face Yoshihito Nishioka in the Round of 16. Monfils and Ramos-Vinolas could meet in the quarter-final.

FS Video

In the bottom quarter of the top half, either of Egor Gerasimov or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could face eighth seed Alexander Bublik in the Round of 16 who opens against a qualifier. Wild card Jay Clarke will face John Millman in the first round with the winner taking on third seed Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

Semi-Final prediction: Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Alexander Bublik

Bottom Half

Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur

The bottom half of the draw is packed with in form players. Second seed Alex de Minaur and fifth seed Reilly Opelka receive opening round byes. De Minaur will face either Frances Tiafoe or Liam Broady in the Round of 16. The Australian is drawn alongside sixth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina who will open against a qualifier. De Minaur could go on to face either Fokina or Vasek Pospisil in the quarterfinal.

After the last moment withdrawal of Nikoloz Basilashvili, Reilly Opelka is the highest seed in the other quarter of the bottom half. The American giant will face either Marton Fucsovics or Aljaz Bedene in the Round of 16. He is drawn alongside ninth seed Cameron Norrie who will take on Alexei Popyrin in the opener. The winner will face a qualifier or Laslo Djere.

Semi-Final prediction: Cameron Norrie vs Alex de Minaur

Semi-Finals

Albert Ramos Vinolas
Albert Ramos Vinolas

Albert Ramos-Vinolas will be taking on Alexander Bublik in the first semifinal. The Spaniard will be tested be Bublik’s unorthodox play but has his own weapons to counter the Kazakh. He is expected to make it to his third final of the season.

In the second semi-final, in form Cameron Norrie will be up against Alex de Minaur. Both players are in amazing touch currently and have a solid grass court game. Expect a thrilling game with De Minaur cruising in the final.

Final: Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Alex de Minaur

Final

Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur

Albert Ramos-Vinolas will lock horns with Alex de Minaur of Australia in the Final. Both players have solid baseline game and will test each other. The match could go all the way with De Minaur winning his second career title.

Champion: Alex de Minaur

Also read: ATP Mallorca Open 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Predictions