French Open 2021: Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin Preview, Head to Head and Prediction


French Open 2021: Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

Roger Federer and Denis Istomin

20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer will take on Uzbek qualifier Denis Istomin in the first round of the French Open 2021. Federer is ranked 8th in the world while Istomin is the World No.203.

Match Details:

TournamentFrench Open 2021
MatchRoger Federer vs Denis Istomin
RoundFirst Round
Date31st May, 2021
Prize Money$72,630 (INR 52,75,625 approx.)
VenueParis, France
SurfaceClay Court

Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin: Preview

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

Making a return at Stade Roland Garros after missing out last year, Roger Federer will have to get past old foe Denis Istomin in the opening round. The Swiss maestro returned on Clay two weeks back in Geneva, but unfortunately lost his very first match against Pablo Andujar in three sets 4-6,6-4,4-6.

Federer has struggled since coming back from injury in Doha earlier this year. He has just won one match in 15 months and is yet to open is account on Clay.

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As for Denis Istomin, he was once in the Top 40 of the world, has 2 ATP titles to his name and has also defeated Novak Djokovic once, but is now way past his prime. He hasn’t played any ATP main tour event in almost a year and only completes in the Challengers.

But the Uzbek has suddenly found form in Paris. He won all three qualifiers convincingly and dropped only one set in the process. He defeated the likes of 11th seed Damir Dzumhur, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Tobias Kamke in the French Open qualifiers.

Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin: Head-to-Head

Denis Istomin
Denis Istomin

This will be their 8th meeting. Federer leads the H2H 7-0. Their last meeting came at the 2019 Australian Open where the Swiss won in straight sets.

Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin: Prediction

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

Federer will go in as the huge favorite to win the match but it won’t be a cakewalk. He has struggled on Clay with his baseline game and Istomin will be aware of that. On the contrary, the Uzbek will come into the encounter with a lot of match practice under his belt.

The major thing that goes in Federer’s favorite is that Istomin has never beaten him. Having said that, expect Istomin to trouble Federer but the Swiss eventually making it to the second round.

Prediction: Federer to win in four sets.

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Also read: French Open 2021: Grigor Dimitrov vs Marcos Giron Preview, Head to Head and Prediction