Australian Open preview and odds: Stan Wawrinka vs Lukas Rosol
Published on: 22/01/2016
Australian Open preview and odds: Stan Wawrinka vs Lukas Rosol
January 23 2016 11:00am - Rod Laver Arena
Australian Open - Round 3
Former Aussie Open champion Stan Wawrinka kept his quest for second title on track with a straight-sets win over Radek Stepanek in the last round. Next up for Stan is Veteran Czech player Lukas Rosol who took three sets to see off American youngster Jack Sock in their Round 2 clash.
Stan Wawrinka building momentum
Stan Wawrinka took just over two hours to fend off the challenge of Radek Stepanek in the second round of the Aussie Open on Thursday. It was not a vintage performance by the Swiss star but he did just enough to stay one step ahead of his opponent and record a 6-2 6-3 6-4 win.
The World No. 4 will now have one eye on the fourth round as he goes up against an opponent who he has beaten fairly comfortably in their two previous encounters. However, he may need to move up a gear if he wants to avoid any uncomfortable moments against his experienced rival.
Key stats from Wawrinka`s Round 2 match:
- First serve success: 56%
- Points won on first serve: 73%
- Points won on second serve: 53%
- Net points won: 52%
- Unforced errors: 23
- Returns won: 44%
- Break points won: 7 out of 14
Veteran performance against newcomer
Lukas Rosol progressed to the third round of the Australian Open for the very first time with an impressive victory over highly-rated American youngster Jack Sock. The 7-6(6) 7-6(5) 6-3 triumph took just over two and a quarter hours and perhaps showed that the 30-year-old is far from past his peak.
Having despatched of the 25th-ranked rising star, Rosol now faces a much tougher challenge in the form of the World No. 4. When the players met in Geneva last year, the Czech player took a set off his opponent before falling by a 6-4 3-6 6-3 score-line.
Rosol had good serve and net statistics against Sock but his winning return ratio was weak, and he will need to improve in that area if he wants to stay in touch with the Swiss player.
Key stats from Rosol`s Round 2 match:
- First serve success: 58%
- Points won on first serve: 80%
- Points won on second serve: 56%
- Net points won: 75%
- Unforced errors: 35
- Returns won: 28%
Betting odds and tips
Lukas Rosol has never gone further than the third round of a Grand Slam and doesn`t have a great record against the big names.
Wawrinka can be expected to win and can be backed at 5/4 with a -7 Handicap with Bet365.
By Neil Morris
Published on: 22/01/2016
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/01/2016 18:29:28) but are subject to change.
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