Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz – Third Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Australian Open
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz on and what time does it start? Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz will take place on Saturday 22nd January, 2022 – not before 03:15 (UK)
Where is Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz taking place? Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz being played on? Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz
What channel is Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz on in the UK? Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT
World number 18 Roberto Bautista Agut blew Philip Kohlschreiber away in straight sets on Thursday, conceding just four games to the veteran. The 33-year-old is not getting any younger himself but after an average 2021 season by his standards he has started this year like a train, beating two top 10 players at the ATP Cup and six overall with only world number nine Felix Auger-Aliassime able to stop him so far. The Spaniard’s best Grand Slam showing to date is a semi-final exit to eventual champion Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2019.
TAYLOR FRITZ
World number 22 Taylor Fritz is yet to drop a set in Melbourne after two hard-fought straight-set victories over Maximilian Marterer and compatriot Frances Tiafoe. The 24-year-old found some incredible form late last season, beating Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner over the last few months to take him to a new career-high ATP ranking which he will break once again no matter the outcome here. Fritz took Novak Djokovic to five sets at this stage of the Australian Open last season before defeat.
THE PREDICTION
This is a really tough call for a number of reasons, first and foremost that Roberto Bautista Agut leads a head-to-head record with Taylor Fritz 5-1, with their most recent meeting coming at the Monte-Carlo Masters last season in straight sets. Secondly, the Spaniard’s early season form has been exceptional and the conditions suit his superb all-court game well with Fritz probably keener on a slightly faster hardcourt than the ones in Melbourne. Thirdly, Fritz has also been in brilliant form, perhaps career-best form, with five top 10 wins and nine top 30 wins since last October. His recent victory over world number Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Cup came as no surprise and he is one of the few men in the draw that could overpower the likes of Alexander Zverev.
The easy way, and advisable way, out is for both players to win a set here and to leave the winner up to chance, perhaps even a side punt on five sets. If a victor must be picked, Fritz just just just edges it on recent performances.
