It should be an exciting fifth day at the ATP Adelaide International and as always we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule in South Australia. But who will secure their spot in the quarterfinals at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre?
ATP Adelaide Day 5 Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Korda 2-0 Bautirsta Agut
Whilst the American had a great win in the first round against former world #1 Andy Murray, Roberto Bautista Agut had an even better win in a tight three setter against world #8 Andrey Rublev. Despite still being ranked inside the world’s top 25, it’s clear Bautista Agut’s movement isn’t what it what it used to be. Coming off a tight three set win on the hardcourts in Gijon, his second over Bautista Agut, at the end of last year, expect Sebastian Korda to effectively move the Spaniard around and utilise his better serve to get the win here.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Denis Shapovalov vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 1-0 Safiullin
The pair have played once in the past, at this time last year in the ATP Cup with the Canadian barely edging Roman Safiullin. Since then, however, the 23-year-old is yet to impress and if anything needs a great 2023 to rectify what he would see as a poor 2022. Both men play a similar sort of tennis and are at their best when playing front foot, but it’s safe to say Denis Shapovalov (at least when he’s on song) doesn’t do almost everything all that little bit better.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Jannik Sinner vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Head-to-head: Sinner 1-0 Kokkinakis
Although 2022 was plagued with injuries here and there, there’s no doubt it was the true breakout year for Jannik Sinner with the Italian reaching back-to-back Grand Slam quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open, where he took both eventual champions to five sets. The Italian’s game is truly coming altogether. Thanasi Kokkinakis took their only previous encounter on the fast hard courts of Cincinnati to the wire but keeping that close on a slower surface where his serve, perhaps the only part of his game which is better than Sinner’s, is a huge ask. The crowd may play a factor backing their man, but it’s hard not to see another Sinner win.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Novak Djokovic vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: Djokovic 1-0 Halys
When Novak Djokovic plays in Australia, it’s safe to say he’s near unbeatable. Despite not being at his best in his opening match, the fact he won it for the loss of just five games sums that point up quite nicely to beat the Serbian you have to hope he has an off day and possess the weapons to blow him off the court. Halys did give Djokovic some trouble in their only previous meeting, which came in similar conditions at the Australian Open, but was ultimately beaten in straight sets and this should be another comfortable win for the Serbian.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
