2020 Australian Open – Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

Where is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne

When is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin on and what time does it start? Saturday 25th January, 2020 – not before 09:15 (UK)

What is the expected weather for Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin? Cloudy, 22c

What channel is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin on? The 2020 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match

Where can I stream Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription

Where can I get tickets for Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin? Click here to reach the official 2020 Australian Open ticket selection

Who won the last meeting between Daniil Medvedev and Alexei Popyrin? Daniil Medvedev beat Alexei Popyrin 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4

THE LOWDOWN

DANIIL MEDVEDEV

• Daniil Medvedev was a comfortable winner in his second round clash at the Australian Open as he overcame Pedro Martinez in straight sets and the Russian now stands just one win away from matching his best performance in Melbourne.
• The fourth seed made the round of 16 last year before he was knocked out by Novak Djokovic but he will fancy his chances of making that stage again where he will meet John Isner or Stan Wawrinka should he overcome Alexei Popyrin.
• With seven hard court titles in his short career so far, Medvedev has yet to open his Grand Slam account but after making the final of last year’s US Open, the 23-year-old will be keen to build on that experience by progressing deep into this tournament.

ALEXEI POPYRIN

• Australian Alexei Popyrin took full advantage of his default win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga following the Frenchman’s retirement because of injury as he defeated Jaume Munar in the second round in Melbourne.
• 20-year-old Popyrin was the beneficiary of an injury to Dominic Thiem in last year’s Australian Open too and after his straight-sets win over Munar, he has now made the third round for the second year running.
• Popyrin faces his toughest task in this year’s tournament so far as he comes up against fourth seed Daniil Medvedev who he has faced once before when he was beaten in four sets at Wimbledon last year.

THE PREDICTION

Alexei Popyrin produced a good display to move into the third round of the Australian Open for the second successive year but faces a big task against the fourth seed Daniil Medvedev. The pair met at Wimbledon last year and Popyrin started that match well by claiming the opening set but could not maintain his challenge as the Russian claimed the next three to seal the win. The Australian will hold no fear heading into this match but with Medvedev’s quality on the hard court, it is likely that the world number four will progress with little drama.