Karen Khachanov v Stefanos Tsitsipas Betting Tips [26 January 2023]

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and world number 20 Karen Khachanov will face off in the semi-finals of the 2023 Australian Open on Friday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. The winner will progress to a first-ever Australian Open final where a tie with either 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic or American world number 35 Tommy Paul awaits. Tsitsipas and Khachanov have faced off five times in the past with the former winning all five meetings. Tsitsipas has advanced to his fourth Aussie Open semi-final and third on the trot. The Greek number one has been in fine form down under, where he has dropped just two sets in five matches. After being taken all the way to a deciding set by 15th seed Jannick Sinner in round four, Tsitsipas returned to the form that saw him win his first three rounds 3-0 by defeating Czech number one Jiri Lehecka, also in straights, to advance to the last-four. His three semi-final losses have all come against players seeded higher, it is the first time he will serve off as a favourite to win here. The 24-year-old is the highest-ranked seed remaining in the tournament. A win on Friday can see him move up to third on the Live ATP Ranking as well as close in on Djokovic at the top of the Live ATP Race standings.

Karen Khachanov is only appearing at his second Grand Slam semi-final after making his debut at last year’s US Open. It is the first time he is playing in the second week at Melbourne having never gone past the third round in his seven previous attempts. He was eliminated in the third round at the last four editions. The Russian 18th seed came into the tournament off the back of a topsy-turvy run, winning three of his last five matches and falling in the quarter-finals at both Adelaide tournaments. He has been in sublime form in Australia where he has dropped just two sets in five matches. Jason Kubler (second round) and Frances Tiafoe (third round) were the only ones to avoid straight-set losses at the hands of the 26-year-old. Khachanov won his first two sets in the quarter-final tie with Sebastian Korda but the American was forced to retire in the third due to an injury to his wrist. His success in Melbourne has seen him move up to 13th on the Live ATP Ranking as well as strengthen his hold on third place on the Live ATP Race standings. A win on Friday can see him move into the Live ATP Top 10.

Stefanos Tsitsipas comes into this semi-final with Karen Khachanov as the favourite to progress as he has been here before. He has however never progressed to the final, and against Khachanov he will have his work cut out. The head-to-head record is strongly in his favour and we expect it to continue on Friday where a deciding set could be needed.