2020 Australian Open – Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

Where is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne

When is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco on and what time does it start? Thursday 23rd January, 2020 – not before 01:15 (UK)

What is the expected weather for Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco? Light rain expected, 22c

What channel is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco 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 Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco 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 Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Fernando Verdasco? Click here to reach the official 2020 Australian Open ticket selection

Who won the last meeting between Nikoloz Basilashvili and Fernando Verdasco? Fernando Verdasco beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-2, 6-1

THE LOWDOWN

NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI

• 26th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili came through a surprisingly tight contest with South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo by winning the deciding set to reach the second round.
• The Georgian has reached the third round of the Australian Open in his past two seasons and lost to two players who went on to reach the semi-finals in Kyle Edmund (2018) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (2019).
• Basilashvili lost to Fernando Verdasco the last time they played in Vienna of last year but he shares a 1-1 head-to-head record with the Spanish veteran, with both matches on hard courts.

FERNANDO VERDASCO

• 36-year-old Fernando Verdasco was untroubled by Russian’s Evgeny Donskoy in the first round of the Australian Open in straight sets without losing his serve.
• World number 51 Verdasco started the year off with a decent showing at the Qatar Open where he lost to up-and-coming French youngster Corentin Moutet in three sets.
• The former world number seven has been a semi-finalist at the Australian Open as far back as 2009 but Verdasco has not made it past the third round since 2011.

THE PREDICTION

Nikoloz Basilashvili was made to work hard against Kwon Soon-woo in the first round here at the Australian Open and Fernando Verdasco is no slouch at 36 years of age. The Spaniard is naturally a clay specialist but he has great five-set pedigree and would more likely come out on top if this match goes the distance. Georgia’s Basilashvili has his moments on tour but while this match could easily go either way, Verdasco’s experience should win out.