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January 20 2023, 22:30 · Adam Evans

Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open

Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open

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THE FACTS

When is Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime on and what time does it start? Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place on Sunday 22nd January, 2023 – not before 04:30 (UK)

Where is Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime taking place? Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia

What surface is Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime being played on? Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will take place on an outdoor hard court

Where can I get tickets for Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime

What channel is Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime on in the UK? Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime will be televised live on Eurosport

Where can I stream Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go

THE LOWDOWN

JIRI LEHECKA

World number 71 Jiri Lehecka came back twice to eventually stun 11th seed Cam Norrie in five sets on Friday in a hugely impressive way to reach the round of 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time. The warning was there for Norrie after the Czech stunned in-form Borna Coric in straight sets in the first round but it was a doubly impressive result for Lehecka considering he lost to Norrie just over a week ago in Auckland. 21-year-old Lehecka finished runner-up to Brandon Nakashima at the Next Gen ATP Finals late last season to suggest he is in for a transformative 2023.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME

World number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime scraped himself through the first two rounds of the Australian Open in a hugely unconvincing wins over Vasek Pospisil and from two sets down against Alex Molcan but a four-set win over Francisco Cerundolo on Friday was a bit more like it. The 22-year-old finally won his maiden ATP title at the Rotterdam Open last February after losing his first eight tour finals but he improved his record later in the season with three-successive trophies claimed in Florence, Antwerp and Basel. Auger-Aliassime also helped Canada to two historic first titles at the ATP Cup and Davis Cup Finals last season.

THE PREDICTION

Felix Auger-Aliassime has played poorly in Melbourne, by his lofty standards, and yet he finds himself a match away from reaching the quarter-finals for a second year in a row. The Canadian’s grit in moments like this is the stuff of champions and his very best level, on display in periods late last season, would compete with any player on tour. World number 71 Jiri Lehecka is clearly playing at a level well above his current ranking and based on his results in Melbourne so far he should be the player coming through this first meeting. However, Auger-Aliassime’s ugly wins suggest he has plenty of gears left to find out there and his experience at this level should tell at the business end of this match. Back Auger-Aliassime to win at least two sets and leave the victor up to chance.