Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray – First Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray on and what time does it start? Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray will take place on Tuesday 18th January, 2022 – not before 04:00 (UK)
Where is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray taking place? Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray being played on? Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray
What channel is Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray on in the UK? Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Andy Murray live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI
World number 23 Nikoloz Basilashvili struggled to make impact at the ATP Cup to start of the season but he performed much better for most of his three-set defeat to Andy Murray at the Sydney International. The 29-year-old added two more ATP titles last season to his total of five with strong campaigns in Doha and Munich on hard and clay, respectively. The Georgian’s best Grand Slam showing to date was a round of 16 exit to Rafael Nadal at the US Open in 2018.
ANDY MURRAY
Former world number one Andy Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion and his return from hip surgery looks almost complete now after he reached a first tour final since 2019 on Saturday. The 34-year-old was eventually outclassed by Sydney Tennis Classic champion Aslan Karatsev but there are plenty of positives to take into the Australian Open, where he is a five-time former finalist. Murray is targeting 700 match wins and 50 career titles for now with a fourth Grand Slam likely too steep a climb now.
THE PREDICTION
Murray beat Basilashvili less than a week before he faces him again here with a comeback win from a set down in the round of 16 of the Sydney Tennis Classic. The 34-year-old was eventually outclassed by world number 20 Aslan Karatsev in the final but his level is on the up and up and he will take all the confidence of a 3-0 head-to-head record over the Georgian into the first round. Basilashvili is exceptionally dangerous at the best of times but he struggles to maintain his best level from set to set, let alone match to match. He is well capable of taking this to four or five but Murray can be backed to find away past him once again.
