Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov
16th November from 0300hrs
Tennis – Japan – Olympic Games
Pick Zverev 2-0
Bookmaker 888sport
Odds: 5/6* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021)
It is the final of the Men’s Olympic tennis tournament that we are looking at in this one.
The big surprise is that Novak Djokovic is not in it, as he fell to the new gold medal favourite Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
Will the German get the top prize around his neck on Sunday, or will Russia’s Karen Khachanov upset the odds?
Table of Contents
Alexander Zverev Preview – Zverev’s gold to lose?
What a stir Alexander Zverev caused in the semi-finals of the men’s tournament at the Olympics.
He had gone into that final four match against favourite Novak Djokovic.
But the German pulled off a stunning upset to move to the final.
Zverev, who has not won a Grand Slam title in his career, is now the 1/3 odds-on favourite in Olympic Tennis betting* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021 at 888sport).
Zverev claimed a 2-1 win over Djokovic, the first set that he has dropped in this campaign.
To be fair he had simply been on cruise control against weaker opposition in the draw.
But he beat the best in the business on Thursday.
This could now be the biggest moment of his career on Sunday as he faces Karen Khachanov for the gold.
In the 2021 Grand Slams, Zeverev lost in the quarter finals of the Australian Open, the semis of the French Open and then the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The head to head between the two players is interesting because it is two wins each.
Alexander Zverev won the first two of those meetings but has therefore slipped to defeat in the most recent two.
Two of Zeverev’s three defeats against Khachanov have happened on hard courts.
This will be the first meeting between the two players since 2019.
An Alexander Zverev 2-0 set betting option is currently at a quote of 5/6* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021 at 888sport).
Karen Khachanov Preview – Can the Russian upset the odds?
A good battling run through the Olympic draw has landed Karen Khachanov in the final.
He has taken full advantage of a pretty favourable draw.
In the semi-finals, the Russian took a comfortable 2-0 win over Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta.
He needed three sets to get three of his five victories under his belt in Japan.
In the match outright for tennis betting, the win for Khachanov is at a quote of 12/5* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021 at 888sport).
With no career Grand Slam title for Khachanov either, this is the biggest match of his career too.
He did struggle for form through the clay swing of this year, at one point losing four straight matches including one against Carreno-Busta.
Khachanov, who lost in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon has rediscovered some form.
Can the 25-year-old claim the gold medal?
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The head to head record does keep Kahacnov in the running here from a tennis betting perspective.
Both players are bound to be tense in such a high-pressure match.
But under 22.5 Games looks the better option for tennis betting at 4/5* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021 at 888sport).
All three previous clashes between the two players on hard courts have been settled in straight sets.
Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov Betting Advice
Zverev and Khahcnov have a chance to claim the biggest win of their respective careers in this one.
Who makes the most of the opportunity?
Zverev looks the more likely of the two, especially with having received a boost of confidence from beating Djokovic.
The Zverev 2-0 set betting option is at the pick at 5/6* (odds taken 21:12 GMT on July 30th 2021 at 888sport).
Key Facts – Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov Betting Tip
- Alexander Zverev is W2 L2 against Khachanov
- Alexander Zverev beat Novak Djokovic in the semi finals
- Karen Khachanov has won his last two matches against Zeverev
Zverev, because he’s only dropped one set, has had a lot less time on the court in Japan at the Olympics.
That has to help him out. He’s lost back to back matches against Khachanov, yes, but the German has been far more consistent than his opponent this season.
Zverev’s becoming an increasingly big threat in the Majors and he could head to the next one, the US Open as the Olympic champion.
The best betting odds for Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov
Alexander Zverev to win: 1/3 at Bet365
Karen Khachanov to win: 12/5 at Bet365
