2021 Australian Open Second Round – Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis on and what time does it start? Thursday 11th February, 2021 – not before 01:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis 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 Karen Khachanov vs Ricardas Berankis 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
KAREN KHACHANOV
- World number 20 Karen Khachanov was pegged back to one set all against Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic but ultimately overcame a potential banana skin well to win in four sets.
- There is still work to be done but a semi-final at the Great Ocean Road Open last week, losing to Jannik Sinner in three sets, is a step back in the right direction for the 25-year-old after some terrible form last year.
RICARDAS BERANKIS
- 30-year-old Ricardas Berankis got the job done efficiently against Sumit Nagal in the first round of the Australian Open, beating the Indian for the second time in just over a week.
- Berankis reached a career-high of world number 50 in 2016 but the current world number 73 found some decent form in 2020 and could be on his way back to that number after reaching his third consecutive second round at a Grand Slam.
THE PREDICTION
Karen Khachanov still looks like a player who needs a shot of confidence and until he breaks that mentality he can always be got at in these longer Grand Slam matches. The Russian number three should realistically have won his first round match in straight sets and Ricardas Berankis will know he has never had a better chance to beat a player of the Russian’s standard at a major tournament. 25-year-old Khachanov can cut a frustrated figure but he is also exceptionally fit and can weather any pressure both he or Berankis heap on him here. Both players should be able to take a set here and it could well go to five but Khachanov can find a way through to the third round even if he is a bit out of sorts.
