Australian Open, 1st Round, Tuesday, 18.01.2022
Australian Open without Novak Djokovic – the fans will still need a little while to get used to this circumstance. In the absence of the number 1, the players of the main draw, which starts on Monday, want to show their best side.
Of course, the German hopes rest on Alexander Zverev, but at the last Grand Slam tournament in New York, as is well known, his colleagues also did well. Can Philipp Kohlschreiber perhaps also surprise in Down Under?
The veteran has faced a tough opponent in the first round, but despite his lower ranking, he is considered the favourite by the bookmakers. Read now in my Kohlschreiber Cecchinato tip which player I see in front.
38 years old and not a bit tired – Philipp Kohlschreiber doesn’t want to go home right after the 1st round at the Australian Open. When he made his debut in Melbourne 17 years ago, he didn’t know how often he would compete here.
He has made 15 appearances so far, only twice failing to reach the first round. Last year he played some great tournaments, even the big stars needed extra sets against him.
His thriller in Wimbledon against Denis Shapovalov, for example, which he lost in five sets, is unforgettable. In his first round, he will play an opponent he has already beaten twice in the main draw.
In Metz, it was only a few months ago, Kohlschreiber won against Marco Cecchinato 7-6, 6-3. Two years earlier, he had triumphed in Rome. I wonder if this is one of the reasons why the bookmakers favour the German?
At Betway, his winning odds average 1.50, his Italian opponent follows with a 2.50. And that, although he is actually to be found higher up in the world rankings.
Kohlschreiber is number 132 in the world, Cecchinato is ranked 97. Although he is already 29 years old, he has hardly had any successful performances at the Australian Open. Four times he was in the main draw, four times his journey ended in round 1.
Whether it was Alexander Zverev in 2020 or Mackenzie McDonald in 2021 (then number 192), he has never been granted a 2nd round. In October last year, Cecchinato only played tournaments in the Challenger field, since then he has kept himself fit in training.
Philipp Kohlschreiber’s form is also very difficult to determine; the Masters in Indian Wells more than three months ago was his last appearance. He almost beat Gael Monfils in September, is he still in such good form?
My Kohlschreiber Cecchinato tip
With Philipp Kohlschreiber and Marco Cecchinato two very successful players meet, last year the German made the more stable impression. Both have not played for three months.
The fact that Kohlschreiber is favoured is probably due to his great experience on the courts down under. At the AO, he almost never fails in the first round, while the Italian has never overcome this hurdle.
But since Kohlschreiber is known for close matches and Cecchinato can be found in the Top 100,
My tip therefore: There are more than three sets!
