2021 US Open First Round – Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson taking place? Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson on and what time does it start? Monday 30th / Tuesday 31st August, 2021 – not before 16:00 (UK)
What surface is Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson being played on? Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson
What channel is Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson 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 Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson
Where can I stream Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Jiri Vesely vs Kevin Anderson live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
JIRI VESELY
Jiti Vesely reached a career-high of 35th in the ATP world rankings back in 2015 and the 28-year-old still has plenty of years left on tour if he wants them. A shock title win at Pune last season gives the Czech a total of two ATP tour titles and he remains capable of the occasional upset, like beating Casper Ruud in Melbourne earlier this year. Vesely has twice reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon for his best Grand Slam showings to date.
KEVIN ANDERSON
Former world number five Kevin Anderson looks almost certain to be one of tennis’ nearly-men at 35 years old now with two runners-up trophies from his two Grand Slam finals. The first of these came in 2017 here in a three-set defeat to Rafael Nadal and the second a year later in three sets to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. The popular South African beat Roger Federer in five gruelling sets that year in SW19 to show for his abilities and seven ATP tour titles is plenty more than most get elsewhere.
THE PREDICTION
It is a surprise to find that Jiri Vesely leads the head-to-head record 3-2 over Kevin Anderson, although they have not faced each other since the Czech’s victory at the 2016 Tokyo Open. With five years passed both players are not at their sharpest for this sixth meeting, although it must be said that Kevin Anderson’s best form has come since their last match. The 35-year-old has excellent pedigree here as a former finalist and over five sets, if his body holds out, he has to be backed to eventually outmanoeuvre Vesely. Take the South African as outright winner but leave this out of an accumulator with his fitness always a concern.
