Lyon Open 2021: Jannik Sinner vs Aslan Karatsev preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: (6) Jannik Sinner vs Aslan Karatsev

Date: 19 May 2021*

Tournament: Lyon Open 2021

Round: First round (Round of 32)

Venue: Lyon, France

Category: ATP 250

Surface: Red clay

Prize money: €419,470

Match timing: Approx. 12.30 pm local time, 10.30 am GMT, 6.30 am EST

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport

*Note: This match was initially scheduled for 18 May, but a rain interruption has caused it to be postponed to 19 May.

Jannik Sinner vs Aslan Karatsev preview

The first round of the 2021 Lyon Open will see a mouthwatering clash between two of the season's most in-form players - Jannik Sinner and Aslan Karatsev - on Tues.

Sinner has scored a couple of solid wins on clay this year, but hasn't been able to string a lot of big results together. He will be hopeful of a strong finish here in Lyon, his last stop in the lead-up to Roland Garros.

Aslan Karatsev

Karatsev, on his part, has also managed a successful transition to clay. Following a whirlwind start to the season in Melbourne and the Middle East, the Russian has now also racked up wins over the likes of Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Diego Schwartzman in his last three tournaments on dirt.

Karatsev continues to impress with his attacking brand of tennis, and the slower court conditions haven't dented his power-packed ball-striking in the slightest.

Jannik Sinner vs Aslan Karatsev head-to-head

Jannik Sinner will look to get a few good match wins heading into Roland Garros.

Aslan Karatsev leads Jannik Sinner in the duo's current head-to-head with a slender 1-0 margin. The Russian took a hard-fought three-set win over his young opponent at the Dubai Open earlier this year.

Jannik Sinner vs Aslan Karatsev prediction

Jannik Sinner's underwhelming results in the last few tournaments aren't reflective of his recent form. The Italian has been striking the ball cleanly for weeks now, but difficult draws have prevented him from breaking out.

Sinner will also have the extra motivation of wanting to exact revenge on Aslan Karatsev for his loss in Dubai.

This match will likely be a showcase of first-strike tennis. Both men will look to go for the winner the first chance they get in the rally.

Given the current form that Sinner and Karatsev have shown, we could be headed for a close finish here. That said, the Italian's more solid all-round game should give him a slight edge.

Prediction: Jannik Sinner to win in three sets.