- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
|
2019 Brisbane International Men's singles, first round Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre Alex De Minaur vs Alexei Popyrin |
|---|
|
||||
|
||||
|
Show Preview
A huge all-Australian battle will hit the Pat Rafter Arena in the first round of the Brisbane International as Alex De Minaur and Alexei Popyrin do battle. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 9:30pm (AEDT).
Two 19-year-old Australians by the name of Alex fight for a spot in the Brisbane International second round tonight. The Australian sporting public knows one Alex well, the other less so but you get the feeling this won’t be for much longer.
By the end of the 2018 season, Alex De Minaur had established himself as the highest ranked male Australian at no 31. His great year was capped by a finals spot at the ATP NextGen tournament in Milan, going down eventually to the Greek, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Although slightly built relatively to the majority of players on the ATP tour, De Minaur’s court craft and speed around the court should ensure that he remains among the top players on the tour for years to come.
He also has the quality that some other Australian players are lacking at the moment, tenacity. Having Lleyton Hewitt as mentor and doubles partner doesn’t hurt, and Hewitt’s influence is seen in the way that De Minaur plays.
By comparison, Alexei Popyrin continues his gradual rise up the rankings to a current number of 147.
Encouragingly, his best performance of 2018 came late in the Swiss Indoors in October where he beat 3 players inside the top 80, including Matt Ebden, before falling to Alex Zverev in the round of 16. His good form has earned him wildcards at Brisbane and Sydney.
At 196cm tall, Popyrin’s strength is his big serve and forehand.
Prediction
Both players are the same age but De Minaur is ahead in his development to date. Popyrin’s serve will test De Minaur but if he gets enough balls back into play, he should win.
De Minaur to win in straight sets.
Hide Preview
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.