Matteo Berrettini vs Pavel Kotov Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Kitzbuhel Open

Prediction published on 22/07/2024, 03:12  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 22/07/2024 at 03:28 in Tennis Predictions

In-form Matteo Berrettini will face fellow unseeded player Pavel Kotov in the first round at the 2024 Generali Open. Both players are strong on clay and so let’s have a look at their numbers and a prediction for the match.

Berrettini is doing well, which makes him one of the heavy favourites to emerge champion in Kitzbuhel. The Italian is coming off his second title success in Gstaad. He had an impeccable run at the Swiss Open, triumphing without losing a set in the entire tournament.

Among those he got the better of was Stefanos Tsitsipas as well as Pedro Cachin, the defending champion. That was his second title this year after his success in Marrakech, and all have been on clay. Berrettini’s run in Gstaad saw him move back to the ATP top 50 and is currently ranked 49th in the world.

While Berrettini is in fine form, Pavel Kotov’s run has been the opposite. The Russian, a strong clay player, has lacked consistency this year and so far has compiled a 15-14 record. Eleven of his wins have come on clay but so too have half of his total defeats.

The 25-year-old has managed just one win in his last four outings and two of those were inflicted on clay. Kotov, who starts the week ranked 60th in the ATP, is coming off a second-round exit in Bastad.

Despite his struggles, Kotov’s highlight of the year was achieved on a clay surface. That was a semi-final finish in Marrakech for the second successive year. A second-round tie with second seed Alejandro Tabilo awaits the winner here.