Roman Safiullin vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction: The Russian was underestimated twice already

Prediction for the ATP Olympics match which will take place on July 31. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Safiullin failed on the dirt part of the season, losing most of his matches and crashing out of Roland Garros after the first round against Serbia's Lajovic. Before the Olympics, Safiullin played one match on a dirt surface in Bastad, losing to Spain's Carballes Baen in three games. But at the Olympics in Paris, Roman won over Chilean Tabilo, the 21st ranked player in the world, 6:4, 6:4 and Argentine Etcheverry, the 36th number of the world ranking, 6:0, 7:6. The match against Etcheverry lasted an hour and 51 minutes, Roman made 4 aces with two double faults, won 60% of points on the first serve and 67% on the second serve.

Alcaraz is the main favourite for the Olympic tournament, the Spaniard has won Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season. At the Olympics, Alcaraz has wins in two sets of 6:3, 6:1 over Lebanon's Habib, the world No. 275 and 6:1, 7:6 over Dutchman Griekspoor. The match against Tallon Griekspoor lasted an hour and 48 minutes, the Spaniard had 5 aces per game with one double fault, won 66% on his first serve and 81% on his second serve.

Safiullin knows how to surprise, moreover, Roman already has one victory over Alcaraz in his career, not when the Spaniard was a youngster, but at the end of last year, after winning two Majors. Safiullin is clearly in form now, the Russian was underestimated twice already here at the Olympics, in the matches against Tabilo and Etcheverry. Roman won both matches, both in two sets. We doubt that Safiullin will be able to repeat the success of the 2023 Masters on a dirt court, but he can definitely make the opponent nervous, just like he won one game against the Spaniard.