Alexei Popyrin vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Preview & Prediction | 2024 French Open | First Round
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
This should be a fierce but friendly first round clash between hard-hitting compatriots.
START DATE/TIME: Tuesday 28th May 2024, UK – not before 12:00 / US EST – not before 07:00 / US PST – not before 04:00
VENUE: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France
SURFACE: Outdoor clay
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Eurosport / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel
TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Alexei Popyrin vs Thanasi Kokkinakis ticket information
ALEXEI POPYRIN VS THANASI KOKKINAKIS PREDICTION
World number 51 Alexei Popyrin and number 100 Thanasi Kokkinakis faced off for the first time in Adelaide early last season, where Kokkinakis won the day in three sets in his home town.
This second clash looks far more suited to Popyrin, however, as the younger Aussie can be surprisingly effective on clay, with last summer’s comeback over Stan Wawrinka in the Umag Open final seeing him pick up a second ATP title. Popyrin brings a poor four-match losing streak into Roland-Garros but wins on the surface against Andrey Rublev and Corentin Moutet in Monte-Carlo last month are proof of what he can do in these conditions.
28-year-old Kokkinakis won the Sarasota Challenger on green clay last month to continue his decent off-tour record but the elder Aussie brings a concerning 4-9 record at tour-level into Paris. Back Popyrin to edge a probable thriller here or consider this match a one-off for five sets. You could add at least a tiebreak for good measure between two big servers.
ALEXEI POPYRIN VS THANASI KOKKINAKIS TIP: ALEXEI POPYRIN TO WIN (AND OVER 0.5 TIEBREAKS)
