Hubert Hurkacz vs Lorenzo Sonego Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 16/01/2023, 07:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/01/2023 at 08:44 in Tennis Predictions

10th seeded Hubert Hurkacz is up against unseeded Lorenzo Sonego in the second round of the Australian Open. The winner of this match has a last 32 match against either 20th seeded Denis Shapovalov or unseeded Taro Daniel. Hurkacz had a straight sets win over Pedro Martinez in the first round. The first set was a tight one and went to a tie-break. After that, Hurkacz stormed ahead and only dropped four games in the next two sets to clinch victory. He started this tournament ranked 11th but is up to 10th in the live rankings. This is the sixth time that he's entered the Australian Open and he's never previously made it past the second round. His Grand Slam record does need improving on as he's only reached the fourth round of one on two occasions, the best being a semi-final at Wimbledon in 2021. This year has seen the Pole just play the United Cup before this Australian Open. He won two of his four matches, losing to Matteo Berrettini (in three sets) and a straight sets defeat by Taylor Frit

Lorenzo Sonego was ranked 47th at the start of this tournament. He's up one place after beating Nuno Borges in four sets in the first round, losing the third set. The Italian was glad of that success as it was his first win of the year. He played both the Adelaide tournaments but lost in his first match in both to Daniil Medvedev and then Jack Draper without winning a set. He retired when a set and 2-1 down to Medvedev. Sonego is bidding to reach the third round of this tournament for the second year in a row. He's never progressed past the fourth round of a Grand Slam event. He does have a good record against his opponent, leading 4-2 in previous meetings but this is only their second meeting since 2020 and Hurkacz looks to be in the better form.