China Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (2) Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor
Date: 29 September 2024
Tournament: 2024 China Open
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $3,720,165
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky | Canada - TSN | India - Tennis Channel
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor preview
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz will continue his quest for a maiden China Open title against Tallon Griekspoor in a blockbuster second-round clash on Sunday, 29 September.
Alcaraz arrived in Beijing with a 43-9 match record, fresh off leading Europe to their fifth Laver Cup title. He has also secured three titles this year at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the BNP Paribas Open.
Alcaraz kicked off his campaign in Beijing against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round. He quickly asserted his dominance by breaking Perricard's serve in the opening game. Despite persistent pressure from the Frenchman, Alcaraz clinched the first set with a powerful forehand down the center.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Alcaraz breaking serve in the first game again. It was a serving clinic from there on with Alcaraz ultimately sealing a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Griekspoor, meanwhile, entered the Chinese capital with a 25-23 W/L record for the year, with a run to the semifinals in Rotterdam and 's-Hertogenbosch, his best results so far. His most recent appearance was at the US Open, where he reached the third round before falling to ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov.
In his Beijing opener, Griekspoor faced Miomir Kecmanovic. Both players served well in the first set, with the Serbian edging it in a tiebreak. The momentum shifted in the second set when Griekspoor broke serve in the sixth game. Although Kecmanovic broke right back, the Dutchman secured a decisive break in the tenth game with a powerful forehand, sending the match to a deciding set.
In the final set, Griekspoor broke early to take a 2-0 lead and maintained his dominance, ultimately winning 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3 with a thunderous forehand down the line.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor head-to-head
Carlos Alcaraz leads Tallon Griekspoor 3-0 in their head-to-head. He won their most recent encounter 6-1, 7-6(3) at the Olympics, earlier this year and also won their only hardcourt match 7-6(4), 6-3 at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. Griekspoor's only win against Alcaraz was in the first round of qualifying at Montpellier in 2021.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor prediction
Carlos Alcaraz hardly broke a sweat in his opener, dominating nearly every aspect of the match. He was exceptional on serve, not getting broken at all. He won 74% of points on his first serve and 82% on his second, recorded five aces, and secured 77% of his service points. He was equally impressive on return, converting 100% of his break points.
Tallon Griekspoor, on the other hand, was pushed to the limit but showcased incredible determination and tactical awareness to close out his match comfortably at the end. He too excelled on serve, winning 79% of points behind his first serve, hitting 14 aces, and claiming 70% of his service points. He also effectively attacked the net, winning 70% of points when he moved forward.
Alcaraz enters this match as the favorite, thanks to his superior form on hard courts this season. He boasts a 19-4 record on the surface, compared to Griekspoor's 14-12.
The Spaniard has also proven more successful in high-stakes matches, aiming for his eighth quarterfinal of the season, while Griekspoor is looking to reach his fourth.
Pick: Alcaraz in straight sets.