It is another Next-Gen battle between the second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and the 10th seeded Felix Auger Aliassime in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger Aliassime: Barcelona Open Preview
Tsitsipas overcame the Australian Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-3 in the pre-quarterfinals. The Greek fired 5 aces and clinched 73% of his first-serve points.
The Canadian claimed 78% of his first-serve points. Shapovalov landed just 48% of his first serves in and also committed 6 double faults. He was hampered by a left shoulder injury and an upper back niggle.
"I have had other good ones (victories) this year, but against a player like Denis, to win in that way is positive, I was happy with my level today,I was able to do a lot of good things out there and hopefully I can keep that form going," remarked Felix impressed with his thumping straight-set win against Shapovalov.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1:50 PM Central European Time.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger Aliassime: Head to Head Record
Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head record 3-2 against Felix Auger Aliassime. The Greek beat Aliassime in three sets in the quarterfinals of the ATP-500 Acapulco Open last month. This is their first meeting on the clay surface.
"The next match will not be easy, a tough challenge," said Aliassime ahead of the sixth clash against Tsitsipas in his career.
Felix will look to tap into Toni Nadal's brain to beat the mercurial Tsitsipas who has been the man with the Midas touch now. Image Credits - First Sportz
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger Aliassime: Game Analysis
With two straight-set victories in a row, Tsitsipas is peaking at the right moments in Barcelona. He can easily win matches by winning more than 70% of points on his first serve. The Greek would look to save more breakpoints having saved only 47% (8/17) so far in the tournament.
Aliassime was ruthless against Shapovalov. His second serve was much better as he won 67% of points on it 12% more than the first match against Lorenzo Musetti (55%).
With seven wins in a row in straight sets, Tsitsipas has been in red-hot form in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He will have the psychological edge against Aliassime having defeated him 3 times consecutively. The Greek has had a strong start to the 2021 season with an impressive win-loss record of 24-5.
Felix Auger Aliassime has tightened his game and is not committing many unforced errors. The Canadian can unsettle Tsitsipas off the baseline by playing clever drop shots. The Greek would look to trouble Aliassime with his powerful forehand and by finishing off points by advancing to the net.
"I have never played him on clay, he is someone who has done very well in recent years and he is playing at the top of his form right now, I am looking forward to the next battle, to the next difficulty that’s set, and cannot wait to compete against Felix," opined Tsitsipas praising Aliassime's recent form before the high-octane encounter.
Tsitsipas's recent domination against Felix Auger Aliassime on the ATP Tour and a rich vein of form gives him the slight edge though Aliassime is capable enough to take the match down to the wire.
The Greek can hit consecutive winners with his one-handed backhand while Aliassime will have to work hard from the baseline.
Prediction - Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in three sets against Felix Auger Aliassime
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