2021 Australian Open First Round – Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini on and what time does it start? Tueasday 9th February, 2021 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Kevin Anderson vs Matteo Berrettini 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
THE LOWDOWN
KEVIN ANDERSON
- 34-year-old Kevin Anderson’s main foe on court these days is his own body but he ended 2020 strongly with decent runs at the German Open, Vienna Open and Paris Masters.
- The world number 81 will be glad to face an Italian here in Matteo Berrettini having lost his last four matches to Andrey Rublev (twice), Daniil Medvedev and, last week, Karen Khachanov.
MATTEO BERRETTINI
- World number 10 Matteo Berrettini managed to turn it on at the ATP Cup last week and won three of his four singles matches to take Team Italy all the way to a final before defeat to Daniil Medvedev.
- The 24-year-old looked near his best form in wins against Dominic Thiem and Roberto Bautista Agut last week and he should be well capable of beating his best showing of a second round exit at this Grand Slam.
THE PREDICTION
Both Kevin Anderson and Matteo Berrettini will be glad to see the back of Russians here as they meet each other for the first time in this mouth-watering first round match. Former Wimbledon finalist Anderson has every chance at beating the man 10 years his junior here if he can play at his peak but a loss to Karen Khachanov last week suggests he is not quite there right now. Berrettini, a former Grand Slam semi-finalist himself at the 2019 US Open, looked in excellent shape at last week’s ATP Cup and it should take a top 20 player to knock him out this year. At his best, Anderson is such a player but given his lack of form right now both players can claim a set in a Berrettini victory.
