Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz Preview & Prediction | 2024 Australian Open | Second Round
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz on and what time does it start? Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz will take place on Thursday 18th January, 2024 – not before 02:30 (UK)
Where is Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz taking place? Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz being played on? Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz
What channel is Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz on in the UK? Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz live on their website
THE LOWDOWN
World number two Carlos Alcaraz looked stressed and nervous in his opening set against veteran Richard Gasquet on Tuesday but he relaxed into a searing straight-sets victory after taking the first tiebreak. The 20-year-old won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2022 with victory over Casper Ruud but he passed the biggest test in tennis at Wimbledon last summer with an era-defining five-set victory over Novak Djokovic, the four-time defending champion. Alcaraz missed the Australian Open last season through injury to see his third round exit the year before his best showing so far but he will have to improve over the coming rounds if he is to be serious title contender.
World number 46 Lorenzo Sonego dropped the first set to Dan Evans in a thrilling clash on Tuesday but the Italian came back into it over the next two hours as his opponent, only just back from injury, began to tire. The 28-year-old is far better than his current deflated ranking suggests but consistency has been his main issue over the past few seasons, with a slow start against Evans proof of his need to tighten up on court. Sonego has twice reached the round of 16 at Roland-Garros, including last summer, but he has made the third round of a hardcourt major just once in Melbourne two years ago.
THE PREDICTION
Lorenzo Sonego beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in their only previous encounter at the Cincinnati Masters back in 2021 but he will find a totally different animal in the Spaniard now. Whilst it is true that Alcaraz was poor in places against Gasquet on Tuesday, and that he has struggled to find his bullish best practically ever since Wimbledon, the second seed will enjoy what should be a thrilling spectacle between two showmen on Rod Laver Arena and improve as a result. Sets could quite easily go both ways, particularly if Sonego serves like he did on Tuesday, but backing Alcaraz to win in straight sets feels a reasonable risk outside of an accumulator.
TIP: CARLOS ALCARAZ TO WIN 3-0
