Tokyo Olympics 2020: Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Preview, Head to Head and Prediction


Tokyo Olympics 2020: Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Alexander Zverev

Germany’s, Alexander Zverev will face Georgia’s, Nikoloz Basilashvili in the third round of the Men’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili: Match Details

Tournament2020 Tokyo Olympics
MatchAlexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
RoundThird round
DateJuly 28, 2021
VenueTokyo, Japan
SurfaceHard Court

Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili: Preview

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev is currently ranked number 5 in the world and has been in the top 10 rankings since 2017. He has 15 ATP Tour titles including 2 this year. He has had a great run this year especially in the Grand Slam tournaments after reaching the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. He is making his debut at the Olympic Games this year and is a strong contender to take a medal home.

Zverev has dominated the court in both his previous rounds in Tokyo, winning both the matches in straight sets. In the first round, Zverev took the win in under an hour against LU Yen-Hsun in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3 by breaking his serve four times. He continued the same momentum in the second round against Elahi Daniel Galan. The German used his powerful serve to hit 12 aces and have 77% of his first serves go in to take the win in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Nikoloz Basilashvili is currently ranked number 42 in the world and made his second appearance at the Olympic games after previously playing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Basilashvili lost in the first round in Rio in three sets against then number 11 seed, Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay. He made his career-high ranking in 2019 of world number 16.

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In the first round at Tokyo, Nikoloz was up against world number 90, Roberto Carballes Baena from Spain. Basilashvili was able to book his spot in the second round in just 1 hour 13 minutes after winning the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. He faced a tougher fight in the second round against number 13 seed, Lorenzo Sonego. Both players placed exceptionally well with Nikoloz winning 97 points and Sonego winning 93. The match was extremely close but Basilashvili took the win in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and secured his place in the third round after a long 2 hours 42 minutes match.

Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili: Head to Head

Nikoloz Basilashvili
Nikoloz Basilashvili

This will be the 4th meeting between the duo who last met in Canada in 2019 in the round of 16 where Zverev took the win in three sets. Zverev currently leads their head to head tie 2-1.

Alexander Zverev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili: Prediction

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

Basilashvili has a win-loss record of 19-18 this year and a 7-7 record on hard court. Whereas, Zverev has been in exceptional form throughout the year and in Tokyo. He has a win-loss record of 27-11 this year and 9-5 on hard court. Basilashvili will be more confident coming into this match after beating number 13 seed, Lorenzo Sonego but that match must have put a physical toll on his body.

Prediction: Zverev to win in straight sets.

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Also read: Tennis at Tokyo Olympics: Indian challenge ends as Sumit Nagal loses to Daniil Medvedev in second round