Sinner-Polmans is a valid match for the exhibition tournament ahead of the Australian Open: news, predictions, free-to-air TV and streaming.
A “soft” debut to arrive prepared for the first major event of the season. The choice of Jannik Sinner, one of the most closely watched tennis players in the upcoming Australian Open-even bookmakers consider him a possible outsider-actually makes no bones about it. The world No. 4 has decided not to try his hand at any of the Atp tournaments in preparation for the Happy Slam so as not to ask too much of his physique.
The Italian will be breaking in, again in Melbourne, but at the Kooyong Classic, a prestigious exhibition tournament that, as every year, is staged a few days before the Australian Major and in which the likes of Andy Murray, Marin Cilic, Holger Rune, Kharen Khachanov and Frances Tiafoe also participate. Sinner’s first opponent is Australian Marc Polmans, currently number 156 in the world rankings, who will debut directly into the main draw next week thanks to a wild card. Polmans, of South African descent, has never faced the South Tyrolean on the Atp circuit. Throughout his career he has finished near the top 100 (his best ranking is 112th) and has never gone beyond the second round in a Slam. Last fall he made headlines for hurling a ball at the line judge during a Shanghai Masters 1000 match pitting him against Italy’s Napolitano.
Sinner last played an official match more than a month ago, when thanks to a victory over Australia’s de Minaur he gave Italy the decisive point in the Davis Cup, back in Rome after 47 years. For Polmans, however, a fleeting appearance in the Challenger tournament in Noumea, New Caledonia, where he exited in the first round.
Sinner-Polmans: the prediction
Sinner may need some time to shake off the pre-season rust and it would not be a surprise if he conceded something in the first set. The South Tyrolean’s victory, however, is by no means in question.
