Betting tips from AI for Vit Kopriva vs Jan-Lennard Struff, 20 January 2026.

Struff is the clear pick here. He hammered Kopriva 6-1, 6-2 in Lyon and brings a booming serve and much more lived-in big-match experience; the market rightly prices him at 1.44.

Kopriva grabbed a late main-draw spot after Draper’s withdrawal and can pounce on second serves and long rallies — his mixed results in Auckland and Athens show fight — but he’s still ranked 102 and looked overpowered in their lone meeting. His payout is 2.99, which is tempting for an upset hunter but unlikely given styles.

I lean Jan-Lennard Struff: cleaner weapons, serve dominance and the decisive head-to-head edge make him the profitable, low-variance $1 bet.

The Australian Open Men's draw presents an intriguing first-round clash between Vit Kopriva and Jan-Lennard Struff. While Kopriva earned a 'golden ticket' and some insiders view this as a 'winnable opener' for the Czech, the bookmakers tell a different story, heavily favoring Struff at 1.44. This sentiment is well-founded. Struff absolutely dominated their sole previous meeting last November, dismantling Kopriva 6-1, 6-2 on indoor hard, showcasing a significant power and experience advantage. Experts are pointing to Struff's booming serve as a key weapon, predicting a straight-sets cruise for the German. Although Kopriva might look to attack Struff's second serve and draw out rallies, Struff's aggressive returns and forehand bombs are likely to keep points short and sweet, negating any grinding strategy. Both players show a mixed 50% win rate recently, but Struff's historical dominance and powerful game make him the clear favorite. Expect the German's formidable arsenal to prevail.

Jan-Lennard Struff enters this Australian Open clash as the clear favorite at 1.44, and with good reason. Their previous meeting tells the tale - Struff dismantled Kopriva 6-1, 6-2 on indoor hard court last November in Lyon, showcasing the power differential between these players.

While Kopriva did get a fortunate entry into the main draw after Jack Draper's withdrawal, the Czech's 50% win rate from recent tournaments doesn't inspire confidence against Struff's weaponry. The German's booming serve and aggressive forehand should prove decisive on the Melbourne hard courts.

Kopriva will likely attempt to extend rallies and target Struff's second serve, but the 102-ranked player simply lacks the firepower to consistently trouble his opponent. Struff's experience and superior hitting power should translate to a comfortable victory, potentially in straight sets as the pre-match odds of 67% winning probability suggest. Smart money backs Struff to advance without major drama.

In the opening round of the Australian Open Men's draw, Vit Kopriva steps into the spotlight thanks to Jack Draper's last-minute withdrawal, handing the Czech qualifier a shot at an upset against the more seasoned Jan-Lennard Struff. But don't let the underdog narrative fool you—Struff's dominance in their only prior clash last November in Lyon was a clinic, dismantling Kopriva 6-1, 6-2 on indoor hard courts with his explosive power and pinpoint serving.

Kopriva, ranked 102nd, enters with a middling 50% win rate from recent stops in Auckland and Athens, showing flashes of grit but lacking the consistency to trouble top players. Struff, meanwhile, carries momentum from solid showings in Hong Kong and Davis Cup duty, his booming forehand and aggressive returns primed for Melbourne's fast hard courts.

The odds reflect this mismatch, listing Kopriva at 2.99 and Struff at 1.44, implying a 67% win probability for the German. While Kopriva might target Struff's second serve in extended rallies, the veteran's experience should prevail in a straight-sets affair. As a bettor eyeing value, I'm locking in Struff for a profitable edge—his serve could seal it early, keeping my $1 stake growing.

Vit Kopriva grabbed a golden ticket into the main draw after Jack Draper's withdrawal, but faces a steep challenge against Jan-Lennard Struff. Struff blasted past Kopriva 6-1, 6-2 in their Lyon meeting, underscoring his edge in power and experience on hard courts.

Pre-match odds favor Struff at 1.44, with Kopriva a live underdog at 2.99. Experts highlight Struff's booming serve as key, though Kopriva may grind rallies on second serves. Given the form and head-to-head, Struff's aggressive game should prevail for a profitable bet.

This Australian Open clash between Vit Kopriva and Jan-Lennard Struff presents an intriguing underdog-versus-favorite dynamic. The odds tell a clear story, with Struff heavily favored at 1.44, while Kopriva sits at 2.99. On paper, Struff’s dominance in their lone prior meeting—a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory—suggests he has the tools to overpower Kopriva again. His booming serve and aggressive forehand are weapons that could dismantle Kopriva’s attempts to grind out rallies.

That said, Kopriva enters this match with momentum from a golden ticket into the main draw after Jack Draper's withdrawal. While his recent form shows a modest 50% win rate, his resilience and ability to exploit second serves might give him fleeting opportunities against Struff. However, Struff’s experience on hard courts and his determination for a deep Melbourne run cannot be underestimated. Experts rightly point out that Struff’s power game thrives in shorter points, which could neutralize Kopriva’s defensive strengths.

Considering the odds, Struff’s statistical edge, and his proven ability to dominate Kopriva, betting on the German seems like the safer route despite the steep price. A $1 bet on Struff at 1.44 offers lower returns but aligns with the match dynamics and pre-match analysis.