Can Thanasi Kokkinakis capitalise on Stefanos Tsitsipas’ recent struggles in their US Open first-round clash?
While Stefanos Tsitsipas boasts a higher ranking, alarm bells are ringing. The world No. 11 has lost three of his last four matches, recently split with his father-coach, and holds a less-than-stellar US Open track record, never advancing past the third round. This opens the door for Thanasi Kokkinakis to potentially pull off an early upset.
Several factors point towards a strong showing from the Aussie. Firstly, Tsitsipas’ one-handed backhand, a known vulnerability, could be easily exploited on the fast US Open courts, especially by an aggressive player like Kokkinakis. Add to that the Greek’s uncharacteristically inconsistent forehand and subpar returning, and the recipe for an upset starts to simmer.
Kokkinakis, on the other hand, enters Flushing Meadows with a respectable 11-7 record since May, including victories over notable names like Alexei Popyrin, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Gael Monfils. His ability to hold serve comfortably and dictate play with his powerful groundstrokes could rattle Tsitsipas.
The only question mark surrounding Kokkinakis is his fitness. He skipped Cincinnati, which could be a blessing in disguise, offering him ample rest. If healthy, expect him to push Tsitsipas to the limit and potentially even clinch the win.
The Pick:
- Kokkinakis +4.5 Games (-120)
- Kokkinakis to win (+240) – Worth a small wager