Japan Open 2024: Matteo Berrettini vs Botic van de Zandschulp preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Matteo Berrettini vs (Q) Botic van de Zandschulp
Date: September 25, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Matteo Berrettini vs Botic van de Zandschulp preview
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini will square off against qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round of the Japan Open 2024.
Berrettini returned to the tour in March this year and has flourished in his comeback. He has won three titles until now, all of them on clay, and reached another final on grass as well.
Berrettini got the opportunity to play full-time on hardcourts in recent weeks. He was knocked out by Holger Rune in the first round of the Cincinnati Open and lost to Taylor Fritz in the second round of the US Open.
The 28-year-old represented his country in the Davis Cup following his exit from the season's final Major. He won all three of his singles matches to send Italy into the knockout stage in November.
Van de Zandschulp struggled all year to win back-to-back matches and then achieved the feat at one of the biggest tournaments of the year. He beat Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the US Open and followed it up with a massive upset win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Van de Zandschulp then lost to Jack Draper in the third round. He was on Davis Cup duty last week and only won one of his three singles ties. He came through the qualifying rounds of the Japan Open, first with a comeback win over Yosuke Watanuki, and then with a routine win over Luca Nardi.
Matteo Berrettini vs Botic van de Zandschulp head-to-head
Berrettini leads van de Zandschulp 3-0 in the head-to-head. He won their most recent encounter at last week's Davis Cup in three sets.
Matteo Berrettini vs Botic van de Zandschulp odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Matteo Berrettini vs Botic van de Zandschulp prediction
Only four of Berrettini's 25 wins this season have come on hardcourts. However, he gave a good account of himself at the Davis Cup last week, where he also beat van de Zandschulp.
The Italian's prior two wins against his rival were on grass. It looked like van de Zandschulp would turn the tide this time after he nabbed the first set but Berrettini staged a comeback to maintain his perfect winning record in this rivalry.
Van de Zandschulp's run at the US Open has been an exception to his otherwise disappointing season. Berrettini has started to find his footing on hardcourts after minimal match play on the surface. It could be difficult to stop him in the coming months if he improves match after match.
Pick: Matteo Berrettini to win in straight sets.