Roger Federer vs Pablo Andujar: Geneva Open 2021: Prediction | Preview | Stats

Top seed Roger Federer commences his clay-court season with a clash against World number 75 Pablo Andujar in the pre-quarterfinals of the ATP-250 Geneva Open. 

Roger Federer vs Pablo Andujar: Geneva Open Preview

Federer is playing his first competitive match after more than 2 months. The 20-time grand slam champion suffered a three-set upset against eventual champion Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarterfinals of the Doha Open in March this year.

On the other hand, Andujar notched up a convincing 6-0 6-4 against the higher-ranked Jordan Thompson in the first round at Geneva. The Spaniard clinched 70% of his first-serve points, saved an impressive 4 out of 5 breakpoints, and also successfully converted 5 out of 6 breakpoints.

Federer vs Andujar: Head to Head Record

• This is the first meeting between Federer and Andujar on the ATP Tour. The Swiss maestro will be targetting a return to form in Geneva ahead of the French Open starting in two weeks. 
• Andujar will target a deep run in the Geneva Open after a series of early exits in 4 clay-court tournaments held in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Estoril, and Madrid. 

Roger Federer vs Pablo Andujar: Geneva Open Live Stream

The 2021 Geneva Open Pre-Quarterfinal match between Roger Federer and Pablo Andujar can be streamed live on Tennis TV YouTube channel. 

Federer vs Andujar: Geneva Open Game Analysis

After not playing in high-profile ATP-1000 tournaments like Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, Federer will be eyeing good match practice on the red dirt in home conditions at the Geneva Open 2021.

The former World No.1 won a practice set 6-3 against the World number 44 Marton Fucsovics ahead of the Geneva Open. The 20-time grand slam champion has a staggering 32-match winning streak in all tournaments held in Switzerland. 

“I need to play 10 matches to give you a better answer about my level, things have been going well in practice, I am excited about the comeback, I was happy that the knee did not feel any different from hard to clay, so far, the clay has been good for me," said Federer declaring himself injury-free in Geneva.

Andujar was impressive in his straight-set victory against the Australian, Thompson in the round of 32. The Spaniard is playing his first pre-quarterfinal in two months after losing in the round of 16 to Daniel Elahi Galan in the ATP-250 Chile Open. 

The 35-year-old is not a big server but has an all-round game from the baseline. He needs to improve his second serve after winning only 39% of points on it against Thompson. Pablo Andujar can also play clutch tennis in crucial moments with his powerful two-handed backhand.

In his last competitive match against Basilashvili, Federer won only 23% of return points on his first serve and could convert only 1 out of 5 breakpoints. 

The Swiss legend must also watch out for Andujar's strong return of the second serve after the Spaniard won 75% of points on it in the match against Jordan Thompson. 

Playing on the ATP Tour since 2003, Pablo Andujar has won 4 tournaments in his career. The Spaniard has also defeated some big names like Marin Cilic, John Isner, and Kei Nishikori. It has been a bad start to 2021 for Andujar and he has a woeful win-loss record of 4-9.

Though clay is not Roger Federer's preferred surface when compared to grass and hard courts, the Swiss still has a well-rounded game to compete at the highest level. Federer's encounter against Andujar is his first match on clay courts since the semifinals of the French Open 2019.

Andujar will try to get momentum by breaking Federer's serve at the start of the match and use his cross-court backhand in the ad court to good effect. 

The World number 8 will try to trouble Pablo Andujar by accumulating points with his effective one-handed backhand. Roger Federer will try to get off to a flyer to prevent the Spaniard from any sort of comeback.

Prediction - Roger Federer to win in straight sets against Pablo Andujar in the Pre-Quarterfinal tie of the Geneva Open 2021

Featured Image Credits - Associated Press (AP)