Barcelona Open 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ilya Ivashka preview, head-to-head & prediction

Ilya Ivashka (L) & Stefanos Tsitsipas
Ilya Ivashka (L) & Stefanos Tsitsipas

Match Details

Fixture: (1) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ilya Ivashka

Date: 20 April 2022.

Tournament: Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

Round: Second Round (Round of 32).

Venue: Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.

Category: ATP 500.

Surface: Outdoor clay.

Match timing: Approx 5.30 pm local time, 3.30 pm GMT, 11.30 am ET, 9 pm IST

Prize money: €2,661,825.

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN


Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ilya Ivashka preview

Monte-Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas will look to extend his five-match winning streak when he takes on Ilya Ivashka in the second round of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.

Tsitsipas has had a solid season so far. He made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open and backed it up with a runner-up finish in Rotterdam. After a quarter-final appearance in Marseille and a semi-final showing in Acapulco, the World No. 5 struggled in the North American hardcourt swing.

A return to clay once again brought the best out of the Roland Garros runner-up. The 23-year-old successfully defended his Monte-Carlo Masters crown, becoming only the sixth man in the Open Era to do so.

He will now be eager to get his hands on the Barcelona title, having lost to Rafael Nadal in the final in 2018 and in 2021.

Ilya Ivashka at the Rolex Paris Masters
Ilya Ivashka at the Rolex Paris Masters

World No. 44 Ilya Ivashka, meanwhile, has struggled to match the heights he hit last season. He arrived at Barcelona with a 3-5 win-loss record for the season, with a quarter-final appearance in Marseille being his best result so far.

The 28-year-old started his campaign in the Catalan capital with a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Pedro Martinez on Tuesday.


Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ilya Ivashka head-to-head

Tsitsipas leads 1-0 in the head-to-head against Ivashka. The Greek earned a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win at Rotterdam earlier this year.


Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ilya Ivashka prediction

Tsitsipas with the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters trophy
Tsitsipas with the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters trophy

Ilya Ivashka has a potent first serve and flat groundstrokes off both wings, which makes him a dangerous opponent on hardcourt. His forehand is his biggest weapon, which he hits with a lot of pace. However, the Belarusian doesn't have the variety or patience needed to construct points on clay.

Tsitsipas has a lot more experience than Ivashka at the highest level of the sport and is comfortable on clay. He likes to dictate points with his forehand and has improved his slice backhand as well, adding another layer to his game.

Tsitsipas served very well throughout his Monte-Carlo campaign and will look to do the same in Barcelona.

Prediction: Tsitsipas to win in straight sets.


Also Check Out :-Barcelona Open 2022 Results