Tsitsipas vs Kovacevic Prediction 20 October 2026
🔊 Former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas was due to play in Almaty last year, but had to withdraw at the last minute with an injury sustained at the Davis Cup. He will make his debut at the tournament in the first round of this year's edition against Aleksandar Kovacevic, who is also appearing in Kazakhstan for the first time. Kovacevic is on a losing streak, while Tsitsipas has lost just two matches during the current Asian swing. We'll see whether the favourite can live up to that status.
Head-to-Head
📊 The head-to-head record is level at 1-1. Both previous matches were played on outdoor hard courts, and this will be their first meeting indoors.
Stefanos Tsitsipas Player Overview
Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached the round of 16 at two tournaments during the current Asian swing. It started at the Tokyo 500, where he came through qualifying. Most recently he reached the second week at the Shanghai Masters. Tsitsipas's trademark is his old-school one-handed backhand, which he uses not only defensively but also to strike back in rallies. He balances attack and defence well, holding more than 80% of his service games while also converting over 40% of break points on return.
Match Results: Stefanos Tsitsipas
Aleksandar Kovacevic Player Overview
Aleksandar Kovacevic's best result in recent months came on the North American swing, where he reached the quarter-finals in Winston-Salem. His record this autumn is negative (1-3), and he has yet to win a match in ATP Tour main draws. Kovacevic is winning fewer than half of all games and sets. His main weapon is a powerful serve, though it is not always effective - his first-serve percentage is below 60% and his double-fault rate is around 7%. He and his upcoming opponent share a one-handed backhand, which is unusual among American players.
Match Results: Aleksandar Kovacevic
Key factors
- Aleksandar Kovacevic has not won a match in an ATP Tour main draw this autumn.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached the round of 16 in both Tokyo and Shanghai.
- Both players have strong serves, but the American makes a high number of unforced errors.
Expected scenario
On the ultra-fast indoor surface in Almaty, a serve-dominated contest is expected. During rallies, both players will look to exploit their powerful forehands against each other's vulnerable one-handed backhands. Aleksandar Kovacevic is likely to rely on aggressive returning and flat, explosive winners, while the more experienced Stefanos Tsitsipas will look to vary the pace and apply pressure with frequent net approaches off the return.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Aleksandar Kovacevic is a clear underdog in the odds for good reason: during the Asian swing he has already faced two serve-dominant opponents and lost to both by a margin of at least five games. Stefanos Tsitsipas is an even more dangerous opponent - his clay-court base makes him versatile enough to apply pressure not only on serve but also to feel comfortable in extended rallies. The match will most likely be decided by a couple of breaks from the Greek in each set, allowing him to move ahead quickly and maintain a comfortable lead through to the end of each set. Our pick - Tsitsipas - Games Handicap -3.5.
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