Tokyo Olympics 2021 Tennis: Andy Murray vs Felix Auger-Aliassime: Preview and Prediction

Former World number 1 Andy Murray takes on the 15th ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime in an exciting opening match at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. 

Match Details: 

Men’s Singles First Round
Date: 25th July
Time: TBD 
Venue: Ariake Tennis Park

Andy Murray vs Felix Auger-Aliassime

Felix leads the Head-to-Head Record 1-0

Key Insights:

• Andy Murray is the 2-time defending champion in the Olympics. He won the gold medal in singles back-to-back in 2012 and 2016.
• On the other hand, Felix Auger-Aliassime (20 years) is playing his maiden Olympics.
• Andy Murray has a perfect 12-0 win-loss record in singles at the Olympic Games.
• Felix Aliassime has a 24-14 win-loss record in 2021 compared to Murray’s 4-4.
• Both Murray and Felix are right-handers with two-handed backhands.

Will Andy Murray march ahead and achieve a hat-trick of gold medals?

The 3-time grand slam champion will face a mammoth task in defending his gold medal won in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The Brit is playing with a metal hip now. However, Murray can play marathon matches quite well.  Andy also practiced with World number 1 Novak Djokovic in Tokyo. 

But, the 34-year-old cannot withstand power hitting as witnessed in the straight-set defeat against Denis Shapovalov in the 3rd round of Wimbledon 2021.

"I have prepared as best as I can, I have tough draws in singles and doubles but I think I have a chance, if I can get through a round or two, I will start to feel more comfortable, I also have the experience of playing in the Olympics, which I can use to my advantage,” said Andy Murray quite confident to put on a good show.

How will Felix Auger-Aliassime trouble Andy Murray?

The Canadian is on a roll after reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals 2 weeks ago. He is also ranked at an all-time high of 15 now. 

The 20-year-old will know Murray’s weaknesses after routing him in straight sets in the second round of the US Open 2020. The youngster got a lot of free points with his big serve (24 aces). The Brit’s winning percentage on first and second serve was just 56% and 58% respectively. 

The DecoTurf surface used at Flushing Meadows, New York is the same for the Tokyo Olympics 2021. Hence the court speed and the style of play will be quite similar. Felix will be a bit nervous as he is representing Canada at the games for the first time in his career.

Wrapping Up

The Canadian is in better form but the Olympics is a different ball game. Felix Auger-Aliassime will have to play fearless tennis from the start. Andy Murray would aim to dominate the long rallies and use his clever backhand slice.

The former World number 1 will also have a good idea of the conditions in Tokyo. He will play doubles with Joe Salisbury against 5-time grand slams Nicolas Mahut/ Pierre Hugues Herbert in the first round. 

Expecting this blockbuster match to go the distance with a couple of points in the tiebreaker deciding the winner. 

Prediction: Felix Auger Aliassime to win in three sets against Andy Murray in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics 2021. 

Related article: Novak Djokovic's pursuit for the Olympic Gold

Featured Image Credits - First Sportz