2021 Australian Open Third Round – Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger-Aliassime taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger-Aliassime on and what time does it start? Friday 12th February, 2021 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger-Aliassime? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger-Aliassime 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 Felix Auger-Aliassime 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
- World number 12 Denis Shapovalov was able to avoid a potential, though unlikely, banana skin in his second round match by beating Australian Bernard Tomic in straight sets.
- That straightforward second round match will do the 21-year-old the world of good in his recovery from possibly the match of the tournament so far in his five-set victory over Jannik Sinner.
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME
- 20th-seed Felix Auger-Aliassime has so far gone under the radar at the Australian Open, making full use of two winnable fixtures so far to beat Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and James Duckworth in straight sets.
- The 20-year-old lost in the Men’s Doubles on Thursday alongside Hubert Hurkacz, with whom he won his first Masters event late last season at the Paris Masters.
THE PREDICTION
This is the fourth meeting between two young Canadian stars in Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime that looks set to be an ever-present fixture over the next decade. Currently the higher-ranked Shapovalov is 2-1 up in their head-to-head record but Auger-Aliassime will have plenty to say about that lead over the years. Most relevant here, though, is that Shapovalov has won both of their previous Grand Slam meetings, both of those at the US Open in 2018 and 2019. The elder youngster was mightily impressive against another rising star in Jannik Sinner and if he can emulate close to that performance he should be able to beat his compatriot here. Both players can take a set in this one considering Auger-Aliassime’s promising early-season form but the Grand Slam experience should ultimately fall in favour of Shapovalov.
