Kevin Anderson faces Jaume Munar and Alexi Popyrin takes on Stefano Travaglia in the Melbourne Summer Set round of 32. Damien Kayat previews.
2022 ATP Tour
ATP 250 Series
Melbourne Summer Set
Melbourne Park- (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 32 Matches- 5th January
Kevin Anderson 9/20 | Jaume Munar 17/10
This should prove to be a fascinating clash that will likely hinge on the fitness of Kevin Anderson. The South African is a two-time former Grand Slam finalist who has been ravaged by injury over the course of the last two years.
The hardcourt specialist would ordinarily be a huge favourite in this encounter. But how will the 35-year-old South African’s body respond to the scrutiny of the year’s first match?
He returned to the tour in 2020 and enjoyed middling success. But he showed just how dangerous he can be on faster surfaces, claiming the Hall of Fame Open on grass in Rhode Island.
He will obviously look to simplify the rallies and dominate on serve. But he may be forced into more protracted rallies by clay-court specialist Jaume Munar.
Clearly the underdog for this encounter, Munar will take solace from Anderson’s recent injury issues. Currently ranked inside the world’s top 100, Munar enjoyed a successful 2021 campaign on his beloved clay.
He began the campaign with a victory in the Antalya Challenger event. He then managed to reach his first full ATP final, losing to compatriot Pablo Carreno-Busta in the championship match of the Andalucia event.
It’s interesting to note that (much like Anderson) Munar is also a Grand Slam finalist. The only difference is that he only managed to reach that stage at junior level. Munar will look to extend the rallies and test out Anderson’s wobbly knees. There could be something in this for the Spaniard if he just hangs in there.
The Verdict: Anderson to win in straight sets at 23/20
I know this seems a rather routine selection after all my preamble. But I think Anderson will have benefitted more than most from the extended end-of-year break. Furthermore, these Melbourne Park courts are no longer as sluggish as they were a few years back. They were resurfaced last year and many of the players have stated they are significantly quicker. This should obviously suit the power-based game of the South African.
Alexei Popyrin 49/100 | Stefano Travaglia 31/20
Alexei Popyrin has been touted- alongside Alex De Minaur- as one of the future stars of Australian tennis. This is a sentiment that only seemed to be magnified by his performances during this early portion of the 2021 campaign.
The big-serving Aussie atoned for a 2nd round exit at the Australian Open by winning the newly forged Singapore Open. But he really crashed out of form during the European summer.
He picked up just one win from six events following the Madrid Masters. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old Aussie seems destined to crack into the world’s top 50 at some stage.
He isn’t just a one-trick pony either. The towering Aussie is able to mix up the big-serving theatrics with a surprisingly deft touch at the net. This could be a defining year for him.
Stefano Travaglia- at the age of 30 years- is certainly not the long-term future of Italian tennis. But he did manage to bring up his career-best performance in Australia last year.
The current world number 78 reached the final of the Great Ocean Road Open. He ultimately lost to compatriot Jannik Sinner is straight sets. But he showed the ability to compete valiantly on these surfaces (he even managed to beat Hubert Hurkacz en route to that final).
But much like Popyrin, Travaglia never managed to build on the foundation from the start of the season. He actually capitulated in pretty devastating fashion, losing in his next eight consecutive matches after that final defeat.
He managed to find his footing towards the end of the year on the Challenger Tour. He should feel comfortable returning to Australia after last year’s success.
Verdict: Popyrin to win in three at 11/4
I think that the Aussie will get the job done in front of his home fans. This despite the fact that he has actually been defeated by Travaglia previously (he lost in a 2018 qualifying match in Marseille). But the Aussie seems to have matured and should have the ammunition to defeat the Italian. But I think that the durable Italian could push Popyrin to three sets.
