Karen Khachanov vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 25/01/2023, 06:32  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 25/01/2023 at 09:29 in Tennis Predictions

Stefanos Tsitsipas is in the Australian Open semi-final for the fourth time in five years. He's yet to reach the final but has a great chance of doing that by beating 18th seeded Karen Khachaov. Tstitsipas is seeded third and is the highest seed left in the men's singles. That's usually good news but the problem is one of the 'lesser' seeds left just happens to be Novak Djokovic. The Greek player began this tournament ranked fourth in the world but can climb to third with a win here and second if Djokovic loses his semi-final. Winning the Australian Open wouldn't just be his first Grand Slam title but also take him to the top of the world rankings for the first time. Tsitsipas won all his singles matches in the United Cup and that excellent form has continued in Melbourne. He's now won all nine of his singles matches this year. The 24-year-old beat Jiri Lehecka in the quarter finals and only two sets have been dropped in this tournament, both in his last 16 match against Jannik Sinner.

Karen Khachanov is in his second successive Grand Slam semi-final. He'd played 27 Grand Slams before making his first last four appearance at last year's US Open. In Australia, he'd never previously got past the third round, losing at that stage in his last four visits to Melbourne. He was ranked 20th at the start of this Australian Open but is up to 13th in the live list and can climb to tenth if beating Tsitsipas. The Russian has had a great run this week with victories over three seeded players. Frances Tiafoe (16th) and Yoshihito Nishioka (31st) were beaten before a quarter final victory over Sebastian Korda. The 29th seed was two sets to love down and retired when 3-0 down in the third. This is a lot tougher and he has a terrible record against his Greek opponent. Tsitsipas has won all five of their previous matches (four on this surface) with the Russian only winning two sets. Go for Tsitsipas to win this.