2021 French Open First Round – Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer on and what time does it start? Monday 31st May, 2021 – not before 15:00 (UK)
Where is Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer taking place? Stade Roland Garros, Paris
What surface is Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer being played on? Clay (outdoor)
Where can I get tickets for Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer? Click here for the latest ticket information
What channel is Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer on? Both ITV and Eurosport will be showing live coverage of the French Open so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I stream Denis Istomin vs Roger Federer? ITV Hub, Eurosport Player & Amazon Prime Video (in France only)
THE PREDICTION
This is something of an old-school match-up between 34-year-old qualifier Denis Istomin and world number eight Roger Federer, who returns to Roland-Garros after missing the last three Grand Slams through injury and recovery from surgery. The 39-year-old has only won Roland-Garros once out of his Men’s record 20 Grand Slam titles and he has flat-out ruled himself out of the running for this campaign but that will not stop the crowds in Paris flocking en-masse to this match to witness his return to the very top of the game. Federer lost to Pablo Andujar last week in just his third match of 2021 but that could actually help the Swiss out in the early stages here as he has not played a five-set match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2020 Australian Open.
World number 204 Denis Istomin should likely enjoy this thankless task with little pressure on the Uzbekistani to do anything other than provide competition. He has taken two sets off Federer across seven straight defeats over the years and Federer’s lack of match-practice suggests he could steal one here too so take the world number eight to win outright. This match is certainly more of a litmus test than anything else.
