Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev Preview & Prediction | 2024 Italian Open | First Round
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THE FACTS
What is this tournament classed as in terms of ranking points? ATP 1000
When is Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev on and what time does it start? Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev will take place on Thursday 9th May, 2024 – not before 16:40 (UK)
Where is Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev taking place? Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev will take place at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy
What surface is Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev being played on? Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev
What channel is Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev on in the UK? Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev live on Sky Go, while Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE PREDICTION
This promises to be a robust battle between two players seeking a return to form following injuries. World number 76 Mackenzie McDonald has played just three times this season, losing each of them, before injury at the Australian Open saw him miss the next four months until today. The 29-year-old found some the form of his career this time last season, with deep runs in Eastbourne and later Toronto via a first round victory over Aslan Karatsev, but he ran out of steam on the late hardcourt swing.
Former number 14 Karatsev also suffered injury in January, in his first match of the year in Brisbane, but he looked competitive in his comeback at this stage of the Madrid last week in a tight straight-sets defeat to Fabian Marozsan. The enigmatic Russian is probably the more comfortable on clay of the two here but McDonald leads their head-to-head 2-1 after winning each of their last two to make this a really tough call. Keep this match from an accumulator but otherwise back Karatsev, with a recent match under his belt, to earn at least a set to leave the victor up to chance.
TIP: ASLAN KARATSEV TO WIN A SET
