Alexander Bublik vs Alexei Popyrin Prediction & Betting Tips - Singapore, Singapore, Qualifying

Prediction published on 27/02/2021, 08:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/02/2021 at 09:20 in Tennis Predictions

It's been a good year for Russian tennis and could get better in this tournament. Fourth seeded Alexander Bublik takes on unseeded Alexei Popyrin in the final of the Singapore Open. 2021 has already seen Russia win the ATP Cup and then Daniil Medvedev reach the final of the Australian Open. Now Bulik is having his turn and is the worthy favourite to win this title. He's ranked 46th in the world but was outside the top 50 at the start of the year. This is his second final of the year having filled the runners-up spot in the tournament held in Antalya. He beat world number ten Matteo Berrettini in that tournament but had to retire injured after jus two games of the final against Alex de Minaur. Bublik only reached the second round of the Australian Open but has shown much improved form this week. He is yet to drop a set and only dropped nine games on his way to the semi-finals. His semi-final was a tougher affair as he had to come from behind to beat Radu Albot.

Alexei Popyrin is the world number 114 but will sneak into the top 100 after his wins this week for the first time since February 2020. It's been a good year so far for the Australian with a run to the third round in Melbourne and then getting a win over seeded David Goffin at the Australian Open. He nearly made it to round three but lost in five sets to Lloyd Harris.  He must hate Harris as he also lost to him in last year's French Open. His good form has continued in Singapore. He had to go to two tie-breaks to beat Christopher Eubanks in the first round. Another clash with Harris could have happened in the second round, but he lost to wild card Adrian Andeev, who Popyrin beat in three sets (middle set lost). He beat another wild card in the quarter finals, defeating Matthew Ebden in straight sets. His toughest task came in the last four when up against third seed Marin Cilic. He again had a straight sets win with two tie-breaks. The tip here is for Bublik to get the win, a side bet on a tie-break might be profitable.