Aslan Karatsev vs Tallon Griekspoor: Aslan's Victory in a Long Match

In the first round of the Rotterdam tournament, the opponent of Aslan Karatsev, #15 in the world, will be the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, #62 in the ATP ranking. Both competitors were unsuccessful in their past tournaments, dropping out after the first match. Despite the setback in Pune, Karatsev is quoted as the favorite. Also, note that in this confrontation, the score is 1:1. In both matches, Karatsev and Griekspoor played on a clay court. 

After winning the tournament in Sydney and three matches at the Australian Open, Aslan Karatsev found himself in Pune, India. He played only one game and somewhat sensationally lost to Sweden's Elias Ymer in two sets. We expected the Scandinavian to fight and win a set, but failing to Aslan was honestly an unpleasant surprise. We hope that the Russian will show their best side in the first round of the Rotterdam tournament.

At the Australian Open, Griekspoor lost at the last 64 to Carreño-Busta, losing in five sets, two of which ended via tie-breaks. Before that, the Dutchman knocked Fognini, once a top-20 player, out of the draw. After Melbourne, we watched the Dutchman at a tournament in Montpellier. Griekspoor had a good match against Bublik but had to leave after losing two tie-breaks. Karatsev does not have the same powerful serve as Alexander, so we expect a relatively long game, in which the Russian is still deservedly quoted as a favorite.

Karatsev needs some satisfaction for the defeat in India. Rotterdam is a higher-level tournament, and the desire to win will be somewhat different. Griekspoor has improved remarkably in the last season. However, it is unlikely that the Dutchman is capable of fighting on equal terms with the Russian, even if it is an indoor. We bet on a rather long match where Karatsev will win.