Cameron Norrie faces Felix Auger Aliassime and Alex de Minaur goes up against Alex Zverev in the round of 16 at the Vienna Open. Damien Kayat previews.
2021 ATP Tour
ATP 500 Series
Vienna Open- Erste Bank Open
Wiener Stadthalle
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 28th October
Cameron Norrie 83/100 | Felix Auger Aliassime 94/100
This looks set to be a blockbuster match that could have huge permutations for the Nitto ATP Finals race. Cameron Norrie’s remarkable campaign has been the stuff of dreams. What a year this would be for British tennis if he were to qualify for Turin (Emma Radacanu’s US Open victory is still very fresh in the memory). Norrie has been the epitome of consistency this season, reaching six finals on three different surfaces throughout the campaign (he actually leads the tour in finals alongside Novak Djokovic). But his most significant achievement came with his herculean efforts at Indian Wells. He took advantage of a fairly agreeable draw to claim his first Masters 1000 title. And he seems to have brought some of that blistering form into Vienna this week. He didn’t have it all his own way against arch-competitor Marton Fucsovics. He was forced to claw his way back from a 3-0 deficit in the first set. But Norrie showed his magnificent powers of resilience to advance in straight sets. Norrie was displaced by Jannik Sinner in the Race to Turin standings last week and needs a solid showing this week to keep up the pace with the young Italian. He should also be boosted by Andy Murray’s surprise win against fellow Race to Turin contender Hubert Hurkacz.
Felix Auger Aliassime will need a minor miracle if he is to backdoor his way into the Nitto ATP Finals. He will need to win this week’s event as well as next week’s Paris Masters should he stand any chance of qualifying. The Canadian has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Grand Slam level, clearly enjoying his newfound collaboration with Toni Nadal. He reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon before a brilliant semi-final run at the US Open. The Canadian youngster just sailed past Lithuanian world number 99 Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-2. He has been pretty bullish in the media leading up to this event, stating that he has come to Vienna with the express purpose of claiming his maiden title. But I still find it disturbing that this massively talented player is yet to register that debut title (Norrie has won two titles this year).
Verdict: Aliassime to win in three at 34/10
This will be the 2nd career meeting between these two, with Aliassime winning their 2019 Indian Wells encounter in straight sets. This is going to be a brutally tight match. But I ultimately think that these faster indoor surfaces should suit the Canadian more. Perhaps the smart move would be to back an Aliassime win outright. But Aliassime in three at 34/10 is just too appealing.
Alex de Minaur 38/10 | Alex Zverev 17/100
Affectionately known as the ‘Speed Demon’ on tour, Alex de Minaur has enjoyed a pretty bizarre 2021. He has won two titles this season (at the Antalya Open and Eastbourne Invitational). But outside of that, his form has been nothing short of abysmal. He entered this event with a win-loss record of 3-9 since claiming the title at Eastbourne. It’s quite surprising given the way his career has blossomed over the past two seasons. He reached four ATP finals in 2019. That included an impressive ATP 500 indoor hardcourt final at the Swiss Indoors. He continued to flaunt his obvious indoor ability with a run to the European Open final in 2020. His athleticism gives him an edge on these faster surfaces, allowing him to retrieve balls that many others wouldn’t dream of chasing.
There will be no ATP finals pressure for Alex Zverev this week. The Olympic gold medal winner will just be looking to continue his magnificent 2021 form and get some practice ahead of the season-ending showcase. He has enjoyed a brilliant year despite not reaching his 2nd Grand Slam final. He has reached two Grand Slam semi-finals and won four titles throughout the year. And he has won some of the biggest non-slam titles you can imagine. He won Masters 1000 titles in Canada and Madrid. He also claimed that career-defining gold medal in Tokyo. There is a ruthlessness to his game at present that reminds me slightly of Pete Sampras. To that, his serve has become one of the most lethal on the entire tour. If he isn’t serving aces, he is completely dictating the flow of matches on his racquet. Zverev has won 21 of his past 23 matches dating back to the start of the Olympics.
Verdict: Zverev to win in straight sets at 56/100
I know, this isn’t exactly the sexiest bet out there. But there is just simply no other option this week. De Minaur is in poor form while Zverev is in glorious cruise control. Zverev also holds a commanding 4-1 head-to-head record against the Aussie. Curiously, de Minaur won their last match at the 2020 ATP Cup. But that was when de Minaur was at the height of his powers.
