Paris Masters 2024: Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin
Date: October 28, 2024
Tournament: Paris Masters 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: $6,425,802
Live Telecast: US - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin preview
Former World No. 6 Matteo Berrettini will take on Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the Paris Masters on Monday, October 28.
Berrettini has wasted no time in finding his rhythm on the main tour this year. Despite missing the start of the season due to a foot injury, he's amassed 30 wins from 41 matches, including title-winning runs in the Morocco Open, Swiss Open and Austrian Open. He also secured a runner-up finish in the Stuttgart Open, where he lost to Jack Draper in the final.
The Italian will enter Paris on the back of a quarterfinal exit in Vienna. He outfoxed the likes of Marton Fucsovics and Frances Tiafoe en route to the last eight, but couldn't make his mark against Karen Khachanov. The Russian defeated Berrettini 6-1, 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin, meanwhile, has had an encouraging season this year. He's garnered 26 wins from 47 matches, including a maiden Masters 1000 crown in Canada. He also reached the semifinals of the Qatar Open and the fourth round of the US Open, where he lost to Frances Tiafoe in four sets.
The Australian will enter Paris on the back of early exits in Shanghai and Vienna. Despite a resilient performance against Jakub Mensik in the Vienna Open, the Czech defeated him 7-6(3), 6-2. Popyrin will be determined to find his top form again in the Paris Masters.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin head-to-head
Berrettini holds a 2-0 head-to-head lead against Popyrin. He defeated the Australian most recently in the 2021 Vienna Open.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin prediction
Matteo Berrettini has struggled to hit top gear since lifting the title in Kitzbuhel. Despite eliminating Frances Tiafoe in the Vienna Open, he succumbed to a loss against Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals. The Italian will need to be more clinical to find his fourth title this year.
Popyrin, on the contrary, has also dipped in form since winning the Canada Open in August. The Australian stunned the world with a breathtaking run in Montreal and also conquered Novak Djokovic in the US Open this year. He will hope to finish the season on a high in Paris after a mediocre run in Asia in the last few weeks.
Considering their recent results and skill-set on hard courts, an even contest will be on the cards in the first round. The player who begins well and adapts to the conditions quickly will have the upper hand. Popyrin is capable of having a say in this encounter, but the Italian should be able to use his versatile all-around game and solve this riddle.
Pick: Berrettini to win in straight sets.