Without a chance Altmaier in the AO opener?

A total of ten Germans will compete in the main draw at the upcoming Australian Open 2023. Five men and five women. One of the German hopes in the men’s singles is Daniel Altmaier, although the 24-year-old is immediately the glaring outsider in his opening match in round one. The world number 91 will face none other than Francis Tiafoe, the 16th seed

It would therefore be a big surprise if a bet on the Kempen-born right-hander should pay off between Altmaier and Tiafoe. Especially, of course, against the background that the German does not necessarily have his strengths on the hard court and prefers to play on clay instead. Moreover, his prominent opponent is brimming with self-confidence at the moment.

With the US team, joker Tiafoe secured the inaugural United Cup at the beginning of the year. The hard-hitting man from Maryland impressed as an absolute performer in the process and has now set his sights on at least reaching the quarter-finals at the first Grand Slam of the year, much like he did in 2019.

Ahead of the Altmaier vs. Tiafoe match, we dare to predict that we will definitely see the US American in week two, before defending champion Rafael Nadal could then be waiting in a potential round of 16 match. Assuming the Spaniard doesn’t show any signs of weakness by then.

Daniel Altmaier – Statistics & current form

Daniel Altmaier currently enjoys the luxury of not having to play a qualifier to make it into the main draw of a Grand Slam due to his world ranking. For long stretches of his still young career, that looked quite different. This explains, for example, why the man from Kempen competed at the Australian Open for the first time last year, but lost in three sets to Alexander Zverev in round one.

For the upcoming first-round duel, the 24-year-old is once again being treated as a crass underdog against his opponent of the same age. Ahead of the encounter, which is scheduled for Sunday night, odds of 5.75 are offered between Altmaier and Tiafoe on the world number 91 to win.

Will Altmaier win a set for the first time at the Australian Open?

We are somewhat sceptical, however, and base our assessment on the fact that Altmaier feels much more comfortable on clay than on hard court. Incidentally, this can also be proven in figures. In 2022, for example, the 2020 French Open round of 16 finalist won only ten of his 24 singles matches on hard court.

The preparation for the first Grand Slam tournament was also disappointing to the maximum, as Altmaier already failed in the first round of qualifying against the relatively unknown Brazilian Monteiro in Auckland, and that despite still being in the lead with 1:0 sets.

In fact, Altmaier is still waiting for his first match success at an ATP tournament in Australia. He has also never won a set at the Australian Open. It is therefore worth considering a prediction between Altmaier and Tiafoe that the US American will advance to round two without losing a set.

Frances Tiafoe – Statistics & current form

For Francis Tiafoe, the 2023 tennis year couldn’t have started any better. Alongside Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz, the 24-year-old won the United Cup with aplomb and presented himself in impressive early form. Tiafoe won all five of his singles matches. Among others, he defeated Oscar Otte, Lorenzo Musetti and Daniel Evans. In total, the American only lost one set.

In general, the right-handed player’s style of play suits hard courts very well. Tiafoe has a very solid serve and a cracking forehand. In addition, he has gained a lot of variability in the last few years. Stops are as much part of his repertoire as a very flat slice. The joker has also shed the often playfulness that cost him success here and there.

The great potential of the man from Maryland became clear not least at the US Open last year, when he reached the semi-finals. Tiafoe also reached the last eight at the Australian Open in 2019. Hard court is definitely his favourite surface, which is why it is understandable in our eyes that between Altmaier and Tiafoe the odds clearly swing in the direction of the world number 17.

Daniel Altmaier – Frances Tiafoe Direct comparison / H2H balance

The two 24-year-olds will face each other for the first time in an ATP match on Sunday night. The fact that they have had different careers so far despite being the same age is underlined by the prize money they have won. Tiafoe has raked in over 7 million dollars, Altmaier only recently managed to reach the first million.

Daniel Altmaier – Frances Tiafoe Tip

Some German men have been drawn tough assignments right from the start. Jan Lennard-Struff, for example, will meet Tommy Paul. Daniel Altmaier will be up against Francis Tiafoe. Betting odds of 1.14 on the US American prove that he is the heavy favourite, which is in line with recent impressions.

While Altmaier lost his only singles match so far in 2023 in the Auckland qualifier against Monteiro, Tiafoe won with the US team at the United Cup and won all his five singles matches on the way there. The world number 17 is the better tennis player, has the better form and also has clear advantages on hard court.