Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin – Second Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin on and what time does it start? Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin will take place on Thursday 19th January, 2023 – not before 04:00 (UK)
Where is Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin taking place? Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin being played on? Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin
What channel is Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin on in the UK? Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
World number nine Taylor Fritz was in control against former top 20 player Nikoloz Basilashvili but a four-set win over the Georgian leaves room for improvement after letting his opponent back in. The 25-year-old is arguably in the form of his career right now after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Finals last November, beating Rafael Nadal for the second time in 2022 after claiming the India Wells title at the Spaniard’s defence in March. Fritz came perilously close to stunning Stefanos Tsitsipas in five epic sets in the round of 16 here last season but he bettered that exit with a quarter-final five-set exit to Nadal at Wimbledon last summer.
THE PREDICTION
World number 113 Alexei Popyrin will likely still be feeling his incredible five-set slog with Chun Hsin Tseng on Thursday after finishing his first round match at 2AM local time on the John Cain Arena. The 23-year-old has been granted a return to the same court which will only amp up his home advantage in this exciting clash with Taylor Fritz but the American also played here on Tuesday for some sense of familiarity. Fritz beat Popyrin in straight sets at the Citi Open last summer but the Australian was in dreadful form all last season and sets should go both ways in this rematch. It would not be a huge surprise to see this match go to five, nor for Popyrin to edge it against Fritz – who can sometimes be caught cold against players he should be beating – but the reasonable call remains backing the American to win outright. You could add at least a tiebreak in the match here between two of the harder hitters on tour.
