Fabio Fognini of Italy, seeded twelve, will play Reilly Opelka of the United States in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, January 20. The match is yet to be scheduled. You can find the Fabio Fognini v Reilly Opelka live streaming options along with its preview, head to head and tips here.
Looking to watch the Fabio Fognini v Reilly Opelka live streaming online?
- For tennis fans in the UK, Europe, Australia & elsewhere go to bet365 > Tennis > Live Streaming here* to watch & bet on the ATP & WTA tennis live.
- Also get all the information how to buy tennis tickets with our guide here
[the_ad id=”14063″]
*Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Fabio Fognini v Reilly Opelka Head to Head
The pair have played each other twice before, both matches coming in recent months. Opelka won their meeting at the US Open, but Fognini got his revenge playing for Italy in the Davis Cup in Madrid in November.
Fognini Happier on Clay
31-year-old Fognini won his 9th senior ATP title, and recorded the biggest win of his career when he won the Monte Carlo Masters last May. That helped him break into the world’s top ten for the first time, the oldest man to do so since the current ATP ranking system was adopted in 1973.
All but one of those titles was achieved on clay, and it remains the surface on which he feels happiest. Never one to avoid controversy his comments that Wimbledon should be bombed last July earned him notoriety and a fine.
He has twice made the fourth round in Melbourne in 2014, and 2018, and won the doubles here, partnering compatriot Simone Bolelli to the title in 2015.
Playing for Italy in the ATP Cup earlier this month, he did not have the best of weeks, losing to both Daniil Medvedev and the world number 46, Casper Ruud, although he did beat John Isner.
Last week he was beaten in the first round in Auckland, going down in three sets to the Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez.
Opelka is Big Serving American
The joint tallest ATP ranked player ever, along with Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, Opelka’s game would appear to be tailor-made for a surface like Melbourne, with a serve that can reach 225 kpmg.
The 2015 Junior Wimbledon champion had something of a breakthrough year last season. Having just broken in the top 100 at the end of the previous campaign, he won his maiden ATP title in New York, beating Brayden Schnur of Canada in the final.
He also began to feature in the main draw of Grand Slams for the first time, defeating Isner in Melbourne, and Monday’s opponent at Flushing Meadows.
However, his 2020 season did not get off to the best of starts with a first round defeat to Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay in Adelaide.
Fabio Fognini v Reilly Opelka Predictions & Tips
This is a very even contest, at least as far as the bookmakers are concerned, with Opelka starting the slight favourite. Certainly his game and style of play is better suited to Melbourne than Fognini, who prefers a clay court. But the Italian is a tough and durable fighter, so this might go all the way.
Tip: Opelka to win in five sets: 9/2 (Click here to get these odds with Unibet)
You can watch & bet on Fognini v Opelka on Monday, January 20 here. . Get the latest tennis predictions and tips here.
Be the first to comment