Karen Khachanov vs Jason Kubler Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 17/01/2023, 05:13  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/01/2023 at 06:39 in Tennis Predictions

18th seed Karen Khachanov takes on wildcard Jason Kubler in the Australian Open second round. The winner of this match faces either Shang Juncheng or the 16th seeded Frances Tiafoe in the last 32. Khachanov was ranked 20th when this first Grand Slam of the year began but has climbed two places in the live rankings. The Russian beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round of this tournament. It was a tight battle in the first set and Khachanov won it on a tie-break. It was plain sailing from then on though as he only dropped two games in the next couple of sets to get the win. Khachanov has never made it as far as the fourth round in the Australian Open. If he wins this match though he'll be in the third round for the fifth year in a row. He's played two tournaments this year, both in Adelaide. The first saw him reach the quarter finals, beating Jack Draper in round two before a straight sets loss to Daniil Medvedev. In the second Adelaide International, he lost to Draper in the second round.

Australian player Jason Kubler received a wild card into his home Grand Slam. He was ranked a career high 84th at the start of the week but is up to 77th in the live rankings. The first round saw Kubler defeat Sebastian Baez in straight sets, winning each one 6-4. He first played the Australian Open in 2010 but this is the first time he's managed to get past the first round. The last three years have all seen him lose in the qualifying rounds. Last year saw him record his best ever performance in a Grand Slam when getting to the fourth round at Wimbledon beating Daniel Evans on the way and then facing two qualifiers. He's had a career that has been blighted by injuries but has made a bright start to the new year. He won his two matches in the United Cup again beating Evans and also Albert Ramos-Vinolas, both ranked in the top 40. His only singles tournament saw him lose in the last 16 to Miomir Kecmanovic after winning the first set. This is a tougher assignment and it's the seed who can progress.