Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming

By Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has covered almost every Olympic sport, but Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field have his heart.

Published at :January 16, 2024 at 5:57 PM

Modified at :January 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM

(Courtesy : AFP/Wikipedia)

Novak Djokovic has dominant record in Australia

Australian Open 2024 will witness a thrilling second-round match between world number one Novak Djokovic and local hero Alexei Popyrin. The match, which will take place at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, is not only a showdown of hard-court skills but also a contrast of eras. Djokovic, who is aiming for his 11th title in Melbourne and his 25th Grand Slam overall, survived a four-set epic against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, losing only the second set in a tie-break. Popyrin, who is ranked 43rd in the world and is one of the most promising young talents in the sport, breezed past his fellow Australian Marc Polmans in straight sets, with two tie-breaks, in front of his supportive fans.

Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin Preview

Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title and an 11th crown in Melbourne, faced a spirited challenge from Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, who pushed him to four sets in a four-hour marathon. The Serb had to save six match points before he finally prevailed 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic praised his young opponent for his amazing performance and potential and said he had to dig deep to win the match.

Popyrin, who is ranked 43th in the world and is one of the most promising talents in the men’s game, also had a tough test against his compatriot Marc Polmans. The 24-year-old Australian needed two tie-breaks to seal a straight-set win over the world number 156. Popyrin displayed his powerful serve and forehand, as well as his composure under pressure, to win 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

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Head-to-Head records

Matches: 1Novak Djokovic: 1Alexei Popyrin: 0Popyrin has never beaten Djokovic in their only match so far. It was a straight-set victory for Djokovic at the Japan Open in 2019.

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin, Australian Open match in India?

Sony Sports Network holds the broadcast rights for the Australian Open 2024 in India. Tennis enthusiasts in the country can tune into Sony Ten 5 SD/HD channels to catch the live telecast on TV. Sony LIV will offer live streaming, via subscription. The Match is scheduled at 2:45 PM IST (Subject to change)

Prediction

Novak Djokovic will face a familiar opponent in Alexei Popyrin, whom he defeated in straight sets at the 2019 Japan Open. The world number one will be keen to avoid another scare after being pushed to four sets by qualifier Dino Prizmic in his opener. Djokovic, who is chasing a record-breaking 11th Australian Open title, has a dominant record in Australia, winning 97 of the 108 games.

Popyrin, on the other hand, will be hoping to pull off a huge upset in front of his home crowd. The 23-year-old has shown some impressive form in the past year, winning one ATP title and reaching a career-high ranking of 39. He also breezed past fellow Aussie Marc Polmans in the first round, firing 20 aces and 54 winners. However, he will need to raise his level significantly to challenge Djokovic, who has more experience and variety in his game.

The prediction is that Djokovic will win in three sets, with one of them being close. Djokovic has the edge in every aspect of the game, especially on serve and return. He will also be motivated to improve his performance and send a message to his rivals. Popyrin might be able to trouble Djokovic with his big serve and forehand, but he will struggle to sustain his aggression and consistency throughout the match

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Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.