2021 Australian Open Round of 16 – Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev on and what time does it start? Sunday 14th February, 2021 – not before 01:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Aslan Karatsev 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
THE LOWDOWN
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME
- World number 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime is through to the round of 16 of the Australian Open without dropping a set after he beat friend and compatriot Denis Shapovalov on Friday.
- The Canadian rising star played exceptionally well to come through in three sets to match his best showing at a Grand Slam after he lost at this stage of the US Open last year to the eventual champion, Dominic Thiem.
ASLAN KARATSEV
- 27-year-old Aslan Karatsev is the surprise package of the Australian Open so far after he won the match of his career in the third round, beating eighth-seed Diego Schwartzman in straight sets.
- The world number 114 came through the qualifiers back in January to reach the main draw and has made the round of 16 without dropping a set on his debut Grand Slam campaign.
THE PREDICTION
20-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime faces little-known Aslan Karatsev here with a fantastic opportunity for either player to reach their first quarter-final. 27-year-old Karatsev has quietly gone about an incredible run at his debut Grand Slam with little form coming into this tournament to suggest such a thing was possible. Every round so far has been the most important match of his career and now against a talented youngster he could upset the odds here. Auger-Aliassime played exceptionally well against Denis Shapovalov to reach this stage but it will be interesting to see how he copes being the sure favourite against a player in such good form. Beating Diego Schwartzman is no mean feat, after all, but the Argentine had not looked his best this year. The harsh likelihood here is that Auger-Aliassime is good enough to take this match in three sets in normal service but Karatsev is something of an anomaly right now we cannot fully predict for. Therefore, Auger-Aliassime to take the first set and win the match by any number of sets could be a useful option here.
