2021 St. Petersburg Open Quarter-Final – Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov on and what time does it start? Friday 29th October, 2021 – not before 12:30 (UK)
Where is Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov taking place? Sibur Arena, Saint Petersburg
What surface is Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov being played on? Hard (indoor)
Where can I get tickets for Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov? Visit here for ticket info
What channel is Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov on? Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov live via their platform
THE PREDICTION
World number 53 Jan-Lennard Struff has endured a tough season in 2021 but he is going well so far at the St. Petersburg Open with two straight-set victories over James Duckworth and Alexander Bublik. The 31-year-old reached a career-high 29th in the ATP world rankings around this time last season and there is plenty more left in the tank if he can rediscover the self-belief that took him to the Munich Open final this summer. World number 13 Denis Shapovalov could do with plenty of that too after a dismal run of form following a stunning run to the Wimbledon semi-finals back in July. The Canadian is now 5-7 since losing to Novak Djokovic in London but he came back well from a set down against Pablo Andujar on Wednesday in a brief flash of promise.
This looks a tricky call with Jan-Lennard Struff enjoying the majority of their six meetings for a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head record. The German won all four of his matches in a row between the 2019 Monte-Carlo Open and last season’s Cincinnati Open, with Shapovalov taking their most recent meeting in comfortable straight sets at the Dubai Open this season. Neither player is anywhere near their best form right now and that could help Struff dig in deep to edge the victory. Taking the German to win at least a set could be a shrewd move here to leave the winner up to chance.
