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Match details
Fixture: Gilles Simon vs Andrej Martin
Date: 10 November 2020
Tournament: Sofia Open 2020
Round: First round (Round of 32)
Venue: Sofia, Bulgaria
Category: ATP 250 Series
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €325,615
Match timing: 12 pm local time, 3.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel
Gilles Simon vs Andrej Martin preview
Qualifier Gilles Simon will lock horns with the unseeded Andrej Martin in the first round of the ATP Sofia Open 2020 on Tuesday.
Former World No. 6 Gilles Simon has had a hit-and-miss run in the indoor hardcourt swing this year. The Frenchman allowed Marton Fucsovics only three games in their bett1Hulks Indoors first-round match, but he went on to lose to Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets in the next round.
Simon made it to the quarterfinal at the second Cologne event, beating third seed Denis Shapovalov along the way. Against Jannik Sinner in the last eight, the 35-year-old won eight games in a row mid-way through but couldn't keep the run going; he ended up losing the match in three sets.
Simon's inconsistency came to the fore once again at the Paris Masters. He made a strong start against Tommy Paul, only to lose the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
That said, the Frenchman does have some momentum on his side right now, having overcome Luke Saville and Illya Marchenko in the qualifying rounds at Sofia without much trouble.
Slovakia's Andrej Martin will look to halt Simon's charge on Tuesday and book his spot in the Sofia Open pre-quarterfinals.
The 31-year-old broke into the top 100 earlier this year, but has an underwhelming win-loss record of 4-9 in 2020. The late bloomer will have to bring his 'A' game to the table if he hopes to give his veteran opponent a run for his money.
Gilles Simon vs Andrej Martin head-to-head
Gilles Simon has never crossed paths with Andrej Martin on tour before, so their head-to-head record currently stands at 0-0.
Gilles Simon vs Andrej Martin prediction
Gilles Simon is no longer the player he once was, but he did record two convincing wins in the qualifying rounds. The Frenchman still has some nifty skills up his sleeve, and his return of serve would likely trouble Andrej Martin.
Simon likes to use his opponents' pace against them, and his record in the controlled indoor conditions is far superior to that of his Slovakian rival. That said, his recent inconsistencies could possibly complicate things in this first-round match.
Martin has the caliber to win marathon three-setters, but he would have to play out of his skin to outlast Simon in these conditions.
Prediction: Gilles Simon to win in three sets.
