ATP Masters in Rome, 2nd round, Friday, 12.05.2023
There are only a few days left before the second Grand Slam of the year begins in Paris! But before the stars chase the title at the French Open, the Masters of Rome is first on the agenda.
Italy has a top star at the start, the number eight in the world has big plans. Right at the start, he does not get an easy task, but is still clearly favored by Bet-at-Home. In my Kokkinakis Sinner Tip, I now reveal why I can imagine a closer match!
He can do more than he often shows, but still misses too often to snatch the important titles? Jannik Sinner must definitely be accused of lacking the so relevant consistency for years.
He may only be 21 years old, but a Carlos Alcaraz, for example, shows how consistently strong performances can be delivered at a very young age. In Rome, Sinner wants to show that he can do those things, too.
The draw gave him an idea of what to expect back home. It’s still a little early, but he already knows: in the quarterfinals, he could face the likes of Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic.
But before that happens, he has to show that he is fit again. A few weeks ago in Barcelona, he had to cancel his quarterfinal against Lorenzo Musetti, and subsequently missed the Madrid Masters as well.
Two semifinals, one final, at the big tournaments of Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, Sinner definitely showed strength. But when it comes to the all-important duels, his nerves still fail him too often.
In Monte Carlo, he lost to Holger Rune, and in Miami, although he beat Carlos Alcaraz, he lost to Daniil Medvedev in two straight sets.
A year ago, he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals here in Rome, again a duel of equals that was not decided in his favor. There should definitely not be an exit in the 2nd round on Friday.
That he is clearly favored against Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is not to be found in the world’s top 100, is by no means a surprise. The odds of the German betting providers come to an average of 1.10 to 6.50.
But: Both at the beginning of 2023 in Adelaide and last year it was really close in the two direct duels. 7-6, 6-4 and 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, Sinner should know what his opponent can do.
Thanasi Kokkinakis is currently ranked 104, so he had to go through the qualification in Rome. This was survived, so he was allowed to compete for the first time ever in the main draw of the eternal city.
He defeated Matteo Gigante and Jan Choinski in the qualifying round, in the 1st round clay court specialist Jaume Munar was waiting. Whoever had a close, exciting match on the cards was disappointed, because the Spaniard gave up in the middle of the first set.
Kokkinakis saved valuable energy, which he will certainly need in his duel with Sinner. A few days ago in Madrid, he had lost to Munar 6-7, 6-7, which showed how strong he can be on clay.
On good days, the Australian can hurt any opponent, but how often he has exactly such days is hard to answer. Example: In Miami at the end of March, he lost an incredibly tough match to Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (10), 6-7, (7), 6-7, (6)!
My Kokkinakis Sinner Tip
We are not surprised that Jannik Sinner is the clear favorite against Thanasi Kokkinakis. The South Tyrolean wants to shine at home, but it wouldn’t be the first time that he loses against supposedly weaker opponents.
On the other side, I see an Australian who can hardly be pigeonholed. He came close to a big surprise several times in 2023, which is why I can well imagine that he can at least pose one or two problems for Sinner. My tip is therefore:
We see more than 19.5 Games!
