2020 Australian Open – Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic on and what time does it start? Friday 24th January, 2020 – not before 8:00 (UK)
What is the expected weather for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic? Partly cloudy, 22c
What channel is Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic on? The 2020 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
Where can I get tickets for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic? Click here to reach the official 2020 Australian Open ticket selection
Who won the last meeting between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Milos Raonic? N/A
THE LOWDOWN
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- Stefanos Tsitsipas was handed a real advantage at this year’s Australian Open when his second-round match with Philipp Kohlschreiber was called off due to the German’s withdrawal.
- The 21-year-old had previously looked at the peak of his powers in a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 first-round victory over Italy’s Salvatore Caruso, with an excellent 92% win percentage on his first serve.
- A first career meeting with Milos Raonic will prove a far more difficult challenge than Caruso of course, but the Greek comes into this match with two extra days’ rest and will have been preparing for a powerful foe in Kohlscreiber anyway.
MILOS RAONIC
- Milos Raonic is looking in fine form in the early stages of the Australian Open after two straight-sets victories over Lorenzo Giustino in the first round and Chile’s Cristian Garin in the second.
- The world number 35 should make his way back up the ATP world rankings this season if he can stay fit, having reached a career-high 3rd in the world at the end of 2016.
- 29-year-old Raonic reached the round of 16 on his debut at the Australian Open and never really looked back, with last year his fourth quarter-final placing here behind his best showing of a 2016 semi-final loss to Andy Murray in 2016.
THE PREDICTION
Stefanos Tsitsipas must assure that his extra rest can help him rather than hinder against a powerful opponent in Milos Raonic, as the Canadian looks like reaching something near his best form after a couple of disappointing years. Tiebreaks look to be on the agenda here against big-serving Raonic, and if Tsitsipas’ recent ATP Cup loss to Nick Kyrgios is anything to go by, this could a be a close first meeting indeed. However, the Greek 2019 ATP Finals champion is the better player at present and needs a real challenge if he is to ready himself for the latter stages. Tsitsipas can come through here in four or five.
