Australian Open 2022, Round of 16, Sunday, 23.01.2022
Will anyone here live up to his reputation as a top favourite? When Novak Djokovic’s suspension was announced, the bookmakers quickly agreed that only Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev could win the Australian Open title.
In the case of the German, it can be said after the first three rounds: He is so ready! Without losing a set, he stormed into the round of 16, where the number 14 in the world is now waiting. Can I confirm the clear odds of the betting companies in my Zverev Shapovalov?
He wins, looks relaxed, jokes with the crowd and shows the whole world: The first Grand Slam title is finally due! After his fantastic year in 2021, Alexander Zverev is reaching for the stars in Melbourne.
Behind Daniil Medvedev, he is also the favourite with all the bookmakers and knows that a triumph in Down Under would also mean that he is the new No. 1 in the tennis circus.
The 24-year-old is not yet ready, he still has to get through three rounds before the final. So far, he’s delivered in full, although he’s not even playing his very best tennis yet – or rather, he hasn’t had to.
In his 1st round against Daniel Altmaier, he let his colleague sniff at winning the set twice at 7-6, 6-1, 7-6. Things improved in round 2, when he not only played against John Millman, but also against a frenetic crowd.
After an intermediate score of 6-4, 6-4, Zverev put the local hero to the sword and took a 6-0. The draw then threw him Radu Albot, a qualifier beyond the Top 100.
The German was not entirely satisfied but won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. His serve is coming, though not yet as brilliant as in 2021. He consistently clears over 80% with the first, but has too many double faults in his game.
There were a total of 20 in his three matches, he had a better handle on that last year. “I didn’t feel perfect – but who is perfect? In the end I won and I’m happy about that. I think hopefully I won’t play worse than today in the tournament.”
So the Hamburg native is aware that he will have to improve in his round of 16 match. He has already had to deal with Denis Shapovalov six times, and four times he was able to triumph. However, he has never met the left-hander at a Grand Slam.
The most recent duel at last year’s ATP Cup ended with a very close 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 for Zverev. Will it be as close on Sunday? The Olympic champion has to deal with the pressure of being the favourite.
At Bet365, the odds on a win are only slightly above 1.20. For Denis Shapovalov, the match against Alexander Zverev will be a premiere, as he has never reached the last 16 at the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old, who is known for close matches, once again lived up to his reputation, he has not been able to serve with quick results so far. Right in the 1st round against Laslo Djere he needed a lot of time at 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.
But it was even more intense against Kwon Soon-woo from Korea. 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2 – here the Canadian was on the verge of defeat and had to show strong nerves in the tiebreaks.
It also went into extra time against Reilly Opelka, but he was forgiven for that against the strong American. 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4, it was probably his most commanding performance to date. The results already show: Shapovalov loves real thrillers!
On the first serve, less comes over the net than with Zverev, but the balls that do make it are dangerous. The Canadian also manages to win a good 80% of points on serve number 1.
Alexander Zverev certainly gives the impression that he wants to storm unstoppably towards the title. He has reached the last 16 without losing a set and is therefore clearly favoured by the bookmakers.
Denis Shapovalov has had some problems, but he bites into every match. On good days he can serve as strongly as Zverev.
He will definitely be the best opponent the German has had so far in this tournament. And since Zverev’s lead in the direct duel is not too clear either at 4:2, I decide on the following tip:
We see more than 34.5 games!
