2021 Australian Open First Round – Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner on and what time does it start? Monday 8th February, 2021 – not before 09:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
DENIS SHAPOVALOV
- 21-year-old Denis Shapovalov lost both of his ATP Cup matches as Team Canada’s first option, though he played well in both defeats to elite opponents in Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
- The world number 12 is in need of a good showing at the Australian Open having never reached further than the third round, with a defeat to Marton Fucsovics in the first round here last year particularly disappointing.
JANNIK SINNER
- World number 36, at the time of writing, Jannik Sinner won his second successive ATP title of his young career at the Great Ocean Road Open this week to add to his Sofia Open title at the close of last season.
- The 19-year-old’s star is rising harder and faster than any young player since perhaps Alexander Zverev, who was the last person to beat him at the Cologne Open 2, nit including the injury that forced him to retire against Andrey Rublev in Vienna.
THE PREDICTION
A title either side of the winter break is exceptional work from young Jannik Sinner and he looks to be this season’s Andrey Rublev, storming through the field on his way to a seemingly destined top 10 position come the close of the season. Currently on a 10-match unbeaten streak and two titles in a row, Sinner should be considered world number 12 Denis Shapovalov’s equal at this moment in time and this is surely one of the most exciting matches of the first round. Both players should take a set in this, their first of likely several tough meetings over their careers, and it would not be a surprise to see this match twist and turn to a fifth-set conclusion. Given their respective form, a result looks almost impossibly close to predict but Jannik Sinner’s mentality is incredible for such a young player and he is less likely to break under the pressure than the explosive, often brilliant sometimes petulant Shapovalov. Both players to take a set in a Sinner victory looks a reasonable outcome here. You could be forgiven for picking five sets as a one-off punt.
