Gilles Simon vs Jack Draper Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Miami

Prediction published on 22/03/2022, 09:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/03/2022 at 11:19 in Tennis Predictions

Britain's Jack Draper takes on Gilles Simon in the Miami Masters first round. A win for Draper will set up an all-British clash with 10th seed Cameron Norrie. Draper is ranked 146th in the world but began 2022 in 265th place. In terms of ranking points earned this year, Draper is 52nd while his French opponent is 135th. The 20-year-old began this year winning a Challenger Tour event held in Forli in Italy. He also made a last eight appearance in Cherbourg before returning to Forli and winning two more Challenger events. Draper now bids to get some success on the ATP Tour too. Last year he reached the quarter finals of the Queen's Club tournament, beating both Jannik Sinner and Alexander Bublik before losing to Norrie. Draper was given a wild card for Wimbledon and won the first set against Novak Djokovic before losing the next three. He lost in the first round of this event last year.

Gilles Simon is ranked 139th but was as high as sixth 13 years ago. He's 37 now and turned pro the year Draper was born! He began this year ranked 122nd so is going in the wrong direction at present. He's also been playing on the Challenger Tour but with nothing like the success of Draper. Simon got to the last eight in  both Taralgon (Australia) and Pau (France). He had a disastrous first Grand Slam of the year, losing in the first qualifying round of the Australian Open. He was beaten by Edward Winter who was ranked 1736th at the time and Simon only won seven games in three sets. His best performance on the ATP Tour this year was getting to the last 16 in Montpellier, though he didn't beat anyone in the top 150.  Draper can be backed to get the win