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2019 Hopman Cup, September 28 Australia vs France RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia Matthew Ebden vs Lucas Pouille |
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The Hopman Cup campaign for Australia begins against France, with the men’s singles match seeing the cagey veteran Matthew Ebden taking on power packet Lucas Pouille. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 10pm (AEDT).
Ebden put together a career-best year in 2018 and will look to get the new season off to a positive start in preparation for a hopeful deep run at the Australian Open in a few weeks time.
After reaching a career-high ranking of 39 during the year, he comes into the new year just outside the top 45.
While he didn’t have the success of fellow countrymen John Millman or Alex De Minaur, he battled away in his usual style, attacking the net and being fast around the court at every opportunity.
He ended the year with a better than 50 per cent winning record, but the 31-year-old will look to take his game to another level this year.
His style should suit this match against the Frenchman though, with a lot of fast movement and good service returns, before getting into the defensive grind and trying to extend points.
A third-round appearance at Wimbledon, including a victory over David Goffin, showed exactly what he can do when given the opportunity to dictate terms around the court.
Pouille, who finished 2018 ranked 32, but has been higher at various points, will be also looking to take his game to the next level in 2019 and crack the top ten.
He has plenty of power and a big serve, but sometimes struggles to control matches and get on top when the challenge is taken to him by an opponent.
He, like Ebden, was only just above 50 per cent in terms of win-loss ratios last year, and finished the year with a disappointing loss to Marin Cilic in the Davis Cup.
After failing to go past the third round at any grand slam last year, questions will be asked about exactly where his game is at, so even though this is almost treated like an exhibition even, he needs to get off to a good start.
Prediction
On paper, Pouille is the better player, however, tennis matches aren’t won on paper. Ebden is a fighter and not having the jet lag the Frenchman will have, I reckon Ebden gets the Aussies off to a good start here.
Ebden in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Hopman Cup match from around 10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 10pm (AEDT)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia
TV: Live, 9Gem
Online: Live, 9Now
Overall record: Never played
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