Adelaide International 2023: Karen Khachanov vs Jack Draper Tennis Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Adelaide International as Karen Khachanov takes on Jack Draper in the second round on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Karen Khachanov wants to go one better at the Adelaide International this year, but faces a daunting task against high-flying Briton Jack Draper in a popcorn second-round match. Who will prevail?

Karen Khachanov came through his opening match at the 2023 Adelaide International unscathed, beating Argneitnean clay-courter Pedro Cachin in straight sets. Khachanov created 12 break points in the match and converted four of them, while he hammered six aces en route to a 6-2 6-4 win. The Russian will have his biggest assignment thus far on Wednesday when he clashes against the in-form Jack Draper.

Jack Draper, for his part, thrashed Soonwoo Kwon 6-2 6-1 in the most one-sided matches of the week at the Adelaide International. Draper tore the South Korean to shreds, using his monstrous first serve to earn cheap points and then staying aggressive behind the baseline to wear down his opponent. Draper is unseeded this week and will be a name everyone in the field will want to avoid at this early stage including Karen Khachanov who will have to contend with taking out.

Karen Khachanov leads Jack Draper 1-0 in their head-to-head, although their US Opens showdown last year was not a completed match. Draper retired in the third set of that match due to a groin problem with the score at 3-6 6-4 5-6. This might be his moment to make amends for that no-show. Khachanov has the power to match Draper, but the Briton is nearing his peak right now and has to be a slight favorite to get the job done on Wednesday at the Adelaide International.