Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime – Second Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime on and what time does it start? Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place on Wednesday 18th January, 2023 – not before 01:15 (UK)
Where is Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime taking place? Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime being played on? Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
What channel is Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime on in the UK? Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Alex Molcan vs Felix Auger-Aliassime live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
World number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime dropped the first set and a break down to his compatriot Vasek Pospisil on Monday before slowly playing himself into form in a four-set victory. The 22-year-old finally broke his ATP title duck last season with a first claimed at the Rotterdam Open and then three more came in three weeks in Florence, Antwerp and Basel. Auger-Aliassime’s best run at a Grand Slam was a semi-final exit to Daniil Medvedev at the US Open in 2021 and he took the first two sets from the Russian in an eventual defeat in the quarter-finals here last season in proof of the level he is capable.
THE PREDICTION
Sixth seed Auger-Aliassime often takes some time to get going after breaks on tour, or transitioning between surfaces, and he should be the better for an early test but likely still some way off his desired level. That leaves the door slightly ajar for Alex Molcan, who is better than his current world ranking of 53rd suggests and he should get better still under Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Marian Vajda. The Slovak stunned Auger-Aliassime in three sets at the Marrakech Open on clay last summer but hardcourt conditions, and five sets in which to fine tune some of his wayward shots, favour the Canadian in this rematch. Molcan impressed on his Australian Open debut here last season in two four-set results and he proved himself a fighter once again on Monday with a five-set victory over former champion Stan Wawrinka. Backing Auger-Aliassime to win outright looks the right call here with four or even five sets well possible.
