Russia's Aslan Karatsev hits a return against Spain's Jaume Munar during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2022. - -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images)
8th seed Aslan Karatsev squares off against the talented Tim van Rijthoven in the round of 16 of the Tata Maharashtra Open on Wednesday.
The experienced campaigner got off to a blistering start at the Maharashtra Open. He completely annihilated Spaniard Pablo Andujar in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. Karatsev was quite strong on the first serve and had an impressive win percentage of 87 on the first serve.
The 29-year-old will be a tough customer to deal with in the competition if he can keep up with this level of tennis. After the match, Karatsev said he would have loved to have seen a bit more crowd in attendance. However, if he continues playing the way he did against Andujar, fans will be compelled to fill the stands.
The Dutchman started the new season on a positive note. Tim van Rijthoven faced Moldovan tennis pro – Radu Albot in the round of 32. The former gave a great account of his serving prowess as he fired in 14 aces during the 6-4, 6-4 win. What was more impressive was that he did not even make a double fault in the entire contest.
In both sets, the world No. 111 clinched a break and became the third Dutchman to make it to the second round in the Maharashtra Open. Van Rijthoven also saved a couple of break points in the match. He wrapped up the game in just under one and a half hours.
The head-to-head scoreline between Tim van Rijthoven and Aslan Karatsev currently stands at 0-0 as the two players are yet to face each other.
Prediction: Aslan Karatsev to win in three sets.
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