2021 US Open First Round – Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar taking place? Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar on and what time does it start? Tuesday 31st August, 2021 – not before 16:00 (UK)
What surface is Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar being played on? Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar
What channel is Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar
Where can I stream Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Aslan Karatsev vs Jaume Munar live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
ASLAN KARATSEV
There will be plenty of people watching world number 24 Aslan Karatsev at Flushing Meadows after his breakthrough performance at the Australian Open at the start of the year. The 27-year-old came out from absolute nowhere to reach the semi-finals of the other hard-court major before defeat to Novak Djokovic and he has since beaten the Serb, in Serbia, in an incredible season. Karatsev won his first ATP title earlier this season with an excellent campaign at the ATP 500 Dubai Open.
JAUME MUNAR
24-year-old Jaume Munar reached a first ATP final this season as he finished runner-up to Pablo Carreno Busta at the Andalucia Open at the start of the clay swing. He has endured a difficult run of fixtures since and carries a seven-match losing streak into the US Open, where his record is not much better. Munar has reached the second round here once before in 2018 before a four-set loss to Diego Schwartzman but he will be hoping to improve his 4-12 record at major tournaments sooner rather than later.
THE PREDICTION
Aslan Karatsev’s best season on tour would be a success whether or not he fails to make a dent on the US Open, with a title at the Dubai Open and that run to the Australian Open semi-finals enough for most, but it would be a shame to see it peter out. The Russian is riding a four-match losing streak into New York, with his defeat in the Serbia Open the last time we really saw him at his best. He should be able to get a welcome win on the board here against struggling Jaume Munar, who would be able to make a better go at this on his favoured clay, and hopefully from there Karatsev can regain his momentum. Take the 27-year-old to win this outright, with straight sets likely but unpredictable right now.
