Australian Open 2022, 2nd Round, Thursday, 20.01.2022
The first days at the Australian Open have been played, the 1st round completed. While one or the other fan misses Novak Djokovic, there is relatively much reason to be happy from a German perspective, at least in the men’s camp.
Not only title favourite Alexander Zverev has managed to get past the opening hurdle. Philipp Kohlschreiber is also still in the tournament. In the duel of the veterans, he will meet Roberto Bautista-Agut in the night from Wednesday to Thursday German time.
He has won the most recent duels against the Spaniard, so he should not be without a chance. The bookmakers see it a little differently, they clearly side with his opponent. Which prediction do I come to in my Bautista-Agut Kohlschreiber tip?
As confidently as Philipp Kohlschreiber came through his 1st round, one would not dare to accuse the now 38-year-old of being tired. He won his match against Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
He won a whopping 89% of his first serve and allowed his opponent only one break chance. Now he can enter a 3rd round match Down Under for the first time since 2017. Five years ago, he was eliminated against Gael Monfils.
5,75? The odds Betway is offering for a win against Roberto Bautista-Agut are high. And that despite the fact that the German leads 3:2 in the direct comparison! He has won the last two duels, all of which were very close.
Two 6-4, 6-4 wins, each player taking one of them, represented the clearest results. Of course, Roberto Bautista-Agut is much better in the world rankings, ranked 18th, but is that enough to advance safely?
He had a few problems with Stefano Travaglia, but won in the end 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. The 33-year-old got fit in the run-up to the ATP Cup and showed that he is definitely in presentable early form.
Cristian Garin, Casper Ruud and Dusan Lajovic had no chance, against Hubert Hurkacz he won two tiebreaks and thus also the match in three sets. Only Felix Auger-Aliassime was too strong in the final.
A quarter-final in 2020 is Bautista-Agut’s best result at the Australian Open. So the Spaniard is not known for irresistible marches through. Of his last twelve matches at this Grand Slam, he won only two outright!
My Bautista-Agut Kohlschreiber Tip
Roberto Bautista-Agut is naturally favoured against Philipp Kohlschreiber, which is backed up not only by the world ranking but also by his performances at the ATP Cup against all the top stars. But will the 33-year-old progress smoothly?
The German has made a great start and has been able to save important energy.
The last two duels against Bautista-Agut went to him! For me, the favourite may appear in red and yellow, but I trust Kohlschreiber to take at least one set from him, maybe even two.
My tip: Kohlschreiber wins a set against Bautista-Agut!
