Preview: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis - prediction, form, head-to-head

2 hours ago 5

Sports Mole previews Friday's Laver Cup match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanasi Kokkinakis, including predictions, form and their head-to-head record.

Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second singles match of the 2024 Laver Cup on Friday, keen to get the better of his US Open conqueror.

The Greek star exited the final Grand Slam of 2024 in the opening round — his first round-one exit at a Major in two years — but seeks to play a part in Team Europe's quest to end Team World's two-year winning streak at the event.

Match preview

Stefanos Tsitsipas in action at the Cincinnati Open in August 2024 © Imago

Tsitsipas had had it pretty rough through the summer months, clashing with and splitting with father and former coach Apostolos Tsitsipas before suffering a first-round exit at the US Open.

The Greek star faces the man who inflicted a first tournament-opening Slam loss since the 2022 event in New York in Friday's match, keen to record a fifth-ever success in the three-day event.

Although Tsitsipas' overall win-loss record at the Laver Cup reads 4-3, two of his losses have come in doubles, with a solitary defeat in singles coming in an exciting day-three tussle with Frances Tiafoe two years ago.

Having suffered defeats in four of his last five matches on clay or hard courts, the world No. 12 hopes the event in Germany sparks a turnaround.

Thanasi Kokkinakis in action at the Davies Cup Finals on September 12, 2024 © Imago

On the other side of the court is a Laver Cup debutant who relishes his match-up with Tsitsipas only three weeks since a shock success over the two-time Grand Slam finalist.

The 28-year-old Australian may have had a career blighted by injury troubles, but 2024 has been something resembling a resurgent year on the ATP Tour as he avoided tournament-opening exits at all four Majors in a calendar year for the first time.

While a third-round run at the French Open was Kokkinakis' peak in 2024, the big-serving player hopes the serve holds up again in Friday's match-up with Tsitsipas in their third battle on tour.

With the second singles match-up taking place after the opening battle between Casper Ruud and Francisco Cerundolo, the world No. 78 seeks a repeat performance to continue his fancied opponent's summer woes.

Head To Head

US Open (2024) - First round:Kokkinakis 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 7-5

Australian Open (2021) - Second round:Tsitsipas 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 6-7(5) 6-4

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