Roland Garros: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka preview, head-to-head & prediction | French Open 2020
Match details
Fixture: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Date: 28 September 2020
Tournament: Roland Garros 2020
Round: First round (Round of 128)
Venue: Paris, France
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: Approx €38,000,000
Match timing: 11 am CEST, 2:30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / NBC Sports | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Also check out: The Complete French Open 2020 Schedule
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka preview
19th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime kicks off his French Open campaign against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka on Monday.
Auger-Aliassime was in incredible form at the back end of 2019 and carried that into the start of this year, breaking into the top 20. The young Canadian reached back-to-back finals in Rotterdam and Marseille but his form has been wayward since the season's resumption after the COVID-19 break.
The World No. 21 had a solid week at the US Open, bowing out to eventual champion Dominic Thiem in the fourth round. The Canadian has struggled on the European clay, however, crashing out early in the Rome Masters and Hamburg.
Yoshihito Nishioka, currently ranked 51 in the world, has also struggled after a strong start to the season. The Japanese reached the final at Delray Beach but has won just one of his last seven matches.
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka head-to-head
Yoshihito Nishioka leads the head-to-head 1-0, having defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a tight three-set encounter at Indian Wells last year.
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Yoshihito Nishioka prediction
Felix Auger-Aliassime comes into the match as the overwhelming favorite, but his form on clay is definitely a cause for concern.
The Canadian's powerful serve and a wristy forehand that he uses to push opponents deep behind the baseline will be crucial, given the conditions in Paris.
Nishioka does, however, have the ability to cause an upset. The 25-year-old is extremely quick around the court and if he can force Auger-Aliassime into long exchanges from the baseline, he can frustrate the young Canadian into committing unforced errors.
Prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime to win in four sets.
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