Canadian breakout star Felix Auger-Aliassime will take on Britain’s Cameron Norrie during the opening day of main-draw action in Indian Wells. Meanwhile, John Millman battles Jan-Lennard Struff for a place in the last 64.
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Cameron Norrie
Popular Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime has had a career breakthrough in the last few weeks. He made his first final in Rio de Janeiro a few weeks ago, losing to Laslo Djere. He then made the quarters in Sao Paolo, where he lost to Djere again. Auger-Aliassime’s ranking is a career-high 58th in the world, way up from his February start at No. 107.
His opponent, Cameron Norrie, is enjoying his own 2019 renaissance. The Brit also made his first final this year, at the first event in Auckland. Norrie played in Acapulco last week, when he battled his way all the way to the semifinals–losing to Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
This first-round match could be a treat for the tournament, as the 32-seed format often leaves the opening-round without star power. Both men are playing well, although Norrie is perhaps enjoying slightly better form at the moment.
Cheryl pick: Norrie in 2
Ricky pick: Norrie in 3
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John Millman vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
John Millman is something of a late bloomer. The Australian earned his career-high ranking just last October, though he turned pro back in 2006. Jan-Lennard Struff is ranked No. 55 in the world. Back in 2017, he achieved a career-high of No. 44, but he hasn’t deviated much from the mid-50s ranking since he broke into the top 100 again back in 2016.
Struff has had one good tournament in 2019–a semifinal showing in Auckland to kick off the season. Since then, the German has failed to string even two wins together at any tournament.
Millman has fared slightly better of late. The Aussie just made the quarters in Acapulco last week, when he lost to John Isner. This is a match that should go Millman’s way, however Struff did win their last meeting on hard courts in Basel in 2018.
Cheryl pick: Millman in 3
Ricky pick: Millman in 2
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WWW?
Norrie in 2….Millman in 3.
You and Cheryl persuaded me do a last minute switch to Norrie and take FAA out 🙁
Millman I already had him over Struff.
Great job norrie you dummy
FAA’s serve looks rather deliberate, as if he needs time to think before each serve. I would say his play style looks a bit like Djoko’s; it’ll be interesting to see him vs Tsitispas in the next round. Of course I hope for a Tsitispas win.
I like young FAA but I doubt he’ll give Tsisti any real trouble. Yet. 🙂