Taylor Fritz is preparing to face Alexei Popyrin in the ATP 250 Geneva round of 16. The match is scheduled for May 20. Several players are aiming to gain momentum ahead of Roland Garros. Stefanos Tsitsipas is also competing, facing Learner Tien.
Fritz’s Freshness Could Be Key
Taylor Fritz has won three of his last five matches. His last match was in Miami almost two months ago. This will be his opening clay-court match of the season.
Alexei Popyrin has lost three of his last five matches. Last week in Rome, Popyrin lost to Sinner in straight sets. This week in Geneva, Popyrin defeated Tabur in three tight sets after playing for over three hours. Last season in Geneva, Popyrin lost to Norrie in the quarterfinals.
Fritz and Popyrin have a head-to-head record of 1-1. According to the bookies, this will be an almost 50-50 matchup, but one source disagrees. It suggests Fritz had a decent amount of training coming into this match and more than enough rest. On the other hand, Popyrin has only around 24 hours of rest after playing for over three hours. It is expected that Fritz will dominate.
Fritz winning is considered a value bet with the best odds at 1.73.
Tsitsipas Faces Tien in Geneva
Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to face Learner Tien. Tsitsipas has won three of his last five matches. This week in Geneva, the Greek defeated Mpetshi Perricard in the opening match in straight sets. He offered and saved three breakpoints.
Learner Tien has lost three of his last five matches. Last week in Rome, Tien lost to Jodar in the 1/8-Finals in straight sets. Last season in Geneva, the American lost to Nishikori in the opening match, 3-sets.
This is their first head-to-head meeting. The bookies consider Tsitsipas the slight favourite in this matchup. He has played well in Madrid and hopes for a solid result this week to build confidence going into the French Open. Tien struggles on clay, so Tsitsipas is expected to win.
Tsitsipas winning is a value bet with the best odds at 1.57.
Wawrinka Battles Michelsen
Stan Wawrinka is also in action, facing Alex Michelsen. Stanislas Wawrinka has lost three of his last five matches. This week in Geneva, Wawrinka outlasted Brancaccio in the opening match in three tight sets. He served well throughout the match.
Alex Michelsen has lost three of his last five matches. This week in Geneva, Michelsen defeated Baez in the opening match in straight sets. Last season in Geneva, the American lost to Borges in the opening match in three sets.
This is their first head-to-head meeting. The bookies consider Michelsen the slight favourite in this matchup. He enjoys playing on fast courts, and the conditions in Geneva are fast.
The ATP 250 Geneva event continues with these matches on May 20.