World number 20 Hubert Hurkacz will be up against the 78th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round of the 2023 ATP Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, August 15. Get the predictions and odds of this Hubert Hurkacz v Thanasi Kokkinakis match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
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Hubert Hurkacz v Thanasi Kokkinakis Head to Head
There have been two previous meetings between these two with both players winning one apiece.
Kokkinakis won their qualifier in Atlanta in 2018 while Hurkacz defeated his Aussie opponent in Miami earlier this year.
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Hurkacz All But Beats Alcaraz
Hubert Hurkacz was a runner-up at the Canadian Masters in 2022 but had the misfortune of meeting the world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the competition. This was after he had sent Alexander Bublik and Miomir Kecmanovic on their way in the first couple of rounds.
The Polish player was on an obvious backfoot from the very beginning but still came away with the first set of the match.
He would then go on to take Alcaraz to a couple of tie-breakers in the following two sets, losing them narrowly in the process. While on the one hand that was a disappointing result, it would have also allowed him the confidence of taking on some of the other top players in the world.
What must be quickly added here is Hurkacz was earlier shocked in the Washington Open opener, losing to Michael Mmoh in three sets.
The question now is whether he can overcome his poor record at the Cincinnati Masters where he has won just two matches over five editions.
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Kokkinakis Makes it Through Brutal Qualifiers
Since shifting to hardcourt tennis after Wimbledon, Kokkinakis has made it to the second round at each of the four tournaments he’s played including one at the Challenger level too. The problem is he hasn’t gone beyond that.
Much like in Toronto where he was forced to come through the qualifiers, Kokkinakis did not get a direct entry into the Cincinnati Masters either. And while he went in as a favourite at both the qualifying rounds, the Aussie was taken to three sets by his opponents.
In the first, it was Laslo Djere who made Kokkinakis work hard in the final set with the world number 78 winning it 7-5.
This was followed by Daniel Elahi Galan, who took the first set in their second qualifying round and then had three match-points at 6-3 in the second set’s tie-breaker. Kokkinakis saved all three of them before winning the set off his second opportunity.
He then broke Galan twice in the decider to find a place in the first round. Against Hurkacz things could be a tad tougher than usual for Kokkinakis though.
Hurkacz v Kokkinakis Prediction and Tip
Kokkinakis will find life difficult against Hurkacz who can be expected to come through in straight sets here despite the fight his opponent can be expected to put up.
Tips:
- Low Risk Tip: Hurkacz to win: 9/20
- Moderate Risk Tip: Hurkacz to win in straight sets: 6/5
The 2023 ATP Cincinnati Open will be played from August 13 to 20. You can get all the tennis betting news with our tennis betting blog here. Also get rest of the tennis match previews here.
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