Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini – First Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini on and what time does it start? Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini will take place on Tuesday 17th January, 2023 – not before 03:15 (UK)
Where is Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini taking place? Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini being played on? Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini
What channel is Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini on in the UK? Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Fabio Fognini live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE PREDICTION
World number 159 Thanasi Kokkinakis won the Men’s Doubles title here last season alongside Nick Kyrgios but the blockbuster pair will not be able to defend their crown this year after Kyrgios pulled out of Melbourne with a knee injury. 26-year-old Kokkinakis may partner up with someone else but he could be better off focusing on his singles campaign here as a well-loved Aussie who will garner big, partisan crowds on whichever court he receives – with the often raucous Kia Arena likely to provide a big boost on Tuesday. Kokkinakis won his maiden ATP title at Adelaide 2 this time last season before a first round defeat here to Yannick Hanfmann but he lost in the semi-finals as defending champion last week, suggesting a different attitude coming into Melbourne may also help his case here. World number 57 Fabio Fognini will half-enjoy and half-loathe the atmosphere in this tough opener and it has been some time since the former top 10 star claimed a notable victory. Kokkinakis leads Fognini 2-0 in their head-to-head record after last season’s straight-sets victory on clay in Geneva and he can be backed to edge this outright with the whole nation behind him.
