2021 Australian Open Round of 16 – Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini on and what time does it start? Monday 15th February, 2021 – not before 09:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini 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 Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Berrettini 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
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas was exemplary in managing his game against Sweden’s exciting youngster Mikael Ymer, coming through in comfortable straight sets after his second-round marathon against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
- Fifth-seed Tsitsipas was the winner when he last faced Matteo Berrettini at this very tournament with a first round, four-set comeback against the Italian in 2019.
MATTEO BERRETTINI
- Though Matteo Berrettini eventually came through his third round match against Karen Khachanov in straight sets, it took the 24year-old three gruelling tiebreaks to do so on Saturday.
- The world number 10 has dropped just the one set at the Australian Open, though, to Tomas Machac in the second round as he reached the round of 16 here for the first time.
THE PREDICTION
There is some worry that Matteo Berrettini may not be able to take to the court here after he felt a problem against Karen Khachanov on Saturday and that will be a terrible shame considering the Italian has looked close to his best so far this season. If he is fit to play this match to the best of his ability we could be in for a five-set epic on Monday between two players likely to grace the top 10 of the sport for the best part of the next decade. Stefanos Tsitsipas will enter as the favourite here anyway, injury or not, and the Greek has an aura about him in Melbourne this year that suggests he is ready to reach a Grand Slam final. Berrettini’s powerful game is likely to be a little stunted against the world number six, who is impossibly fit and runs for every single point and so this match could be more about tiebreaks than amount of sets in the markets. Tsitsipas can win this match by any means, probably three or four, but opt for the Greek to win and at least one tiebreak in the match here. At least two if you are feeling brave.
