Rotterdam 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hubert Hurkacz preview, head-to-head & prediction | ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament
Match details
Fixture: (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hubert Hurkacz
Date: 4 March 2021
Tournament: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament 2021
Round: Second round (Round of 32)
Venue: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €980,580
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hubert Hurkacz preview
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the semifinals of the Australian Open last month, beating Rafael Nadal along the way. The 22-year-old has carried his good form from Melbourne to Rotterdam, kicking off the tournament in the Dutch city with a straight-sets win.
The Greek player took on Belarusia's Egor Gerasimov on Tuesday, eventually triumphing 7-6(4), 7-5.
Tsitsipas has lost just one out of eight matches so far this year. Gerasimov, who beat Andy Murray at the Open Sud de France last week, was a tricky first-round clash for the youngster. But Tsitsipas dished out a clinical performance, slamming 31 winners in his victory.
In what appears to be a difficult clash for both players, Tsitsipas will take on Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. The Polish No. 1 was in fine form in his opening match against the experienced Adrian Mannarino, winning 6-3, 7-6(6).
Hurkacz slapped 17 aces against the Italian, claiming his seventh singles win of the year. He will be confident going into the match on Thursday, especially given that he won his second ATP singles trophy at the Delray Beach Open earlier this year.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hubert Hurkacz head-to-head
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz have faced off six times on tour before, with the Greek dominating the head-to-head 5-1. Hurkacz's only win against Tsitsipas came in the Round of 32 at the Canada Masters in 2019.
But while the World No. 6 has a positive record against Hurkacz, most of their previous encounters have not been one-sided. In fact, each of their last four matches went to a deciding set.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hubert Hurkacz prediction
Apart from the straight-sets defeat against Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open semifinal, Stefanos Tsitsipas has looked in top form this year. The 22-year-old will be keen to take the next step in his career this year, and add to his five ATP singles titles.
With his excellent all-round play and sense of calm on the court, Tstisipas is one of the toughest players to beat when on song.
Hubert Hurkacz, on the other hand, is a big server and powerful hitter of the tennis ball. He will look to impose his game on Tsitsipas in an attempt to overpower him, much like what Medevedev did in the Australian Open semifinal.
But Tsitsipas seems fitter now than he was in Melbourne, and he has the skills to defuse the power of even the biggest hitters on tour.
Prediction: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in three sets.