S. Tsitsipas vs N. Basilashvili 18/01/2019 match preview

[SmashingTip]

S. Tsitsipas vs N. Basilashvili one more great match of the 1/16 – Finals at Australian Open Grand Slam Tournament taking place in Australia. Both talented players will play in a serious confrontation. Review our thoughts on this match here below.

S. Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas in one of the greatest young player of our time. Last year was very successful for him, as he becomes Next Gen Champion! Tsitsipas feels great on Hard Court, as well on opened and closed stadiums. Last year he played 89 matches in total and won 57 of them, that is a very strong result for young talent. However, Greek need to improve his self by gaining more confidence and calmness. He used to be more concentrate on every set and game, it remains only to direct him in the right way and he will achieve very high results.

N. Basilashvili
Nikoloz Basilashvili is a greatly talented player with already much experience. Last year was most successful for him, as he won two Titles on different surfaces. Basilashvili was qualified to Hamburg ATP 500 Tournament on Clay Ground and unexpectedly reached a final where won against experienced Leonardo Mayer in two sets 6:2/6:2. In almost end of the season, Nikoloz proved he is a strong player by reaching Beijing ATP 500 Hard Court Final and won it against the recently returned Argentine star Del Potro. Now Georgian deservedly stands at highest ATP Rank of his career and apparently ready to prove that he deserves even more respect. Basilashvili is a physically strong player, with a great serve, sometimes unpredictable style, and confident backhand. As we can see these skills gave a result by playing even on the highest tennis level.

H2H
Players have never met before. However, both are very strong and unpredictable players with an interesting style of game. Both are very motivated to go further at the tournament and fight as well as they can till the end.

SmashingTip!
Both players are very aggressive and everything will depend on who is more persistent, tougher and more accurate. It should be one of the most interesting and exciting matches at this round with lots of games.

 

[Tshooter]

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[prairiegirl]

Tsitsipas could be upset here.

 

[tennisaddict]

Tsitsipas in 3 or max 4.

 

[RF-18]

I watched this guy Basilashvili against Travaglia the previous round and although he is a really good baseliner with alot of power, but he is stuck there all too much. It was shocking to see how he refused to follow up his shots on the net. He could have won that match in 4 sets if he just mixed it up a bit and came forward to the net. He came in on the net behind his shots maybe two times in 5 sets. He got punished for it as his opponent got alot of extra balls back and Basil made alot of mistakes cause he refused to follow up on his shots and finish easy points.

I don't know if someone here has watched Basilashvili more, maybe @The Green Mile and if this is something that occurs frequently in his game.

 

[RF-18]

Tsitsipas in 3 or max 4.

I strongly doubt that. If Basilashvili is okey physically after his previous 5 setter I will probably put him as the winner of this match.

 

[Sport]

Tsitsipas in 3 or max 4.

I am not so sure. It could go to 5 if the Georgian is on fire. But yeah, Tsitsipas should win.

 

[tennisaddict]

I strongly doubt that. If Basilashvili is okey physically after his previous 5 setter I will probably put him as the winner of this match.

He took 4 sets to beat Eubanks, who is a top 200 level player. He needed 5 sets to beat Travaglia, who is a qualifier. This tells me he is not ready for a battle with Tsitsipas and also his level is not there.

He is a very good player and when on can bring the heat. But over BO5 , it is always going to be a struggle.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Basil made alot of mistakes cause he refused to follow up on his shots and finish easy points.

Agree 100%. I’m really high on Basil but your points are totally accurate. He has such power but refuses to put away easy volleys. I still expect him to beat Tsitsipas. I think Basil and Khachanov are the two most dangerous floaters, both in Fed’s quarter.

 

[The Green Mile]

I watched this guy Basilashvili against Travaglia the previous round and although he is a really good baseliner with alot of power, but he is stuck there all too much. It was shocking to see how he refused to follow up his shots on the net. He could have won that match in 4 sets if he just mixed it up a bit and came forward to the net. He came in on the net behind his shots maybe two times in 5 sets. He got punished for it as his opponent got alot of extra balls back and Basil made alot of mistakes cause he refused to follow up on his shots and finish easy points.

I don't know if someone here has watched Basilashvili more, maybe @The Green Mile and if this is something that occurs frequently in his game.

That's hopefully the next step he takes in his evolution as a tennis player. Adding a little bit of subtlety to his game and transitioning forward on strong explosive shots, not even approaches (though would be great obviously). He gets many weaker balls and like you said, will stay back content with hitting through his opponent. His volley is lacking overall. Clean up those DFs as well.

I like his chances moreso now that he's on Margaret court arena, compared to a quicker outer court. He's a lot more deadly on a medium/slow surface. Not saying this court is playing slow, but it's slower than what he's already played on. I expect him to raise his level after his two previous matches (only watched R1 with Eubanks).

 

[Alexrb]

Agree 100%. I’m really high on Basil but your points are totally accurate. He has such power but refuses to put away easy volleys. I still expect him to beat Tsitsipas. I think Basil and Khachanov are the two most dangerous floaters, both in Fed’s quarter.

That's because he's truly terrible at the net. Unless it's improved recently he is one of the worst I've seen.

 

[BeatlesFan]

That's because he's truly terrible at the net. Unless it's improved recently he is one of the worst I've seen.

No argument from me there, I agree. But plenty of other players who have been lousy at net can evolve and improve: Lendl is the perfect example. He became a very competent volleyer, as did Connors. Now is Basil an ATG like those two? Nope, but he can get better. Zverev is horrible at net too right now, but I expect him to improve.

 

[RF-18]

That's because he's truly terrible at the net. Unless it's improved recently he is one of the worst I've seen.

You don't have to be a god at the net. We are not asking him to S&V and to put himself in tough spots at the net, but to approach the net when he gets weaker balls back, put away easy balls.

 

[Alexrb]

You don't have to be a god at the net. We are not asking him to S&V and to put himself in tough spots at the net, but to approach the net when he gets weaker balls back, put away easy balls.

Totally agree. My basis is from a match in 2017 (so may have improved from then), think it was against Kukushkin. I was like who the heck is this guy, was blasting off both wings, and thought the same thing (that he should come forward more). Don't remember his volleying much since then, but I distinctly remember him looking incredibly uncomfortable at net in that match against even easy put aways.

 

[The Green Mile]

These matches are also being played in the round of 32. Winner takes on Fed/F̶r̶i̶t̶z̶ next round.

 

[prairiegirl]

Agree 100%. I’m really high on Basil but your points are totally accurate. He has such power but refuses to put away easy volleys. I still expect him to beat Tsitsipas. I think Basil and Khachanov are the two most dangerous floaters, both in Fed’s quarter.

You expect him to win? Certainly, the odds are on Tsitsipas.

 

[AndyM]

Tsits for the win! He is in better form

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Each won a tournament last year, should be a good contest.

 

[SmashingTip]

Guys! happy to see this discussion going on! I will be posting some more previews for Australian Open, be sure to check them out. Cheers!