World number 15 Karen Khachanov faces the 323rd-ranked Alex Bolt in the second round of the 2023 Zhuhai Championships on Friday, September 22. Get the predictions and odds of this Karen Khachanov v Alex Bolt match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
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Karen Khachanov v Alex Bolt Head to Head
Khachanov and Bolt have never faced off in a competitive match before this.
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Khachanov Hoping to Return to Winning Ways
It looked to be going Khachanov’s way again this season when he reached the quarterfinal at the French Open before falling in four sets to Novak Djokovic at that stage.
By then, Khachanov had accumulated 23 wins for the year to go with a mere 10 defeats. That loss to Djokovic was only his 11th for the season.
Unfortunately for Khachanov, he has played just one match since then. An injury kept him out throughout the grass court swing and while he attempted a couple of comebacks during the North American hardcourt swing, it was only at the US Open that he finally managed to take to court.
And in the very first round there, Khachanov was sent packing in straight sets by Michael Mmoh.
Khachanov will now play only his second match in nearly four months and there could be a bit of nerves as a result of that. Can he get going against Alex Bolt as he starts off a 1/3 favourite with bet365?
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Bolt Benefits from Schwartzman’s Retirement
Diego Schwartzman has had a wretched season thanks to a variety of reasons including fitness and personal. And it was no different when he faced Alex Bolt in the first round of this tournament.
Bolt, a qualifier with successive straight-set wins under his belt to get to the main draw, was leading Schwartzman 6-3, 4-2 when his opponent retired from the encounter.
In a match that didn’t even touch the one hour mark, Bolt needed just one break of serve in the first set to wrap it up. He didn’t face a single break-point in it.
In the second, Bolt went 2-0 up and while he was broken back in the fourth game, he came back to get the better of Schwartzman’s serve again in the fifth game. He was leading 4-2 after holding his serve in the next game when his opponent called it off.
Bolt will now face another player whose fitness has been a suspect in recent time but as far as overall form goes, Khachanov has been way better than Schwartzman. Hence, no surprises that Bolt starts out a 5/2 underdog here with bet365.
Khachanov v Bolt Prediction and Tip
Khachanov will look to get off quickly off the blocks but we can expect a bit of rustiness as the match wears on. Might still see just two sets but with one being very hard-fought.
Tips:
- Moderate Risk Tip: Khachanov to win in straight sets: 10/11 (with bet365)
The 2023 Zhuhai Championships will be played from September 18 to 24. 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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