Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Olympic Games Tennis third-round match between Alexander Zverev and Alexei Popyrin, including predictions, head-to-head and their tournament so far.

Defending Olympic Games champion Alexander Zverev seeks a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-finals when he takes on Alexei Popyrin in the tournament's third round on Wednesday.

Zverev got the better of Tomas Machac in Tuesday's round-two match and will take on his Australian opponent, who defeated 2008 doubles champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets.

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Match preview

Zverev's ambition to emulate Andy Murray by successfully defending his Games success is going smoothly after consecutive straight-set wins in rounds one and two in Paris.

The German overcame Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-2, 6-2 before following that with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over his Czech opponent on Tuesday, continuing his undefeated streak at the Games stretching to the event in Tokyo.

The 27-year-old's eight-match winning sequence faces its next threat on Wednesday, as the defending champion seeks to hold on to the gold medal claimed at the previous sporting contest.

Zverev clinched that event in Tokyo by dropping just one set — in the semi-final success over Novak Djokovic — and both players could meet in this year's semis if they sustain their winning starts.

While he cannot afford to look that far ahead, the German No. 3 seed aims to avoid an early exit in round three in Paris.

Zverev's clay-court expertise means the German is a clear favourite to get the better of Popyrin, despite the Australian coming through both wins in straight sets.

The two-time tour-level champion beat Chile's Nicolas Jarry in the opening round before notching another against 2008 doubles gold medallist Wawrinka in two sets, claiming a 6-4, 7-5 win over the Swiss.

Participating at his first Games, the Australian is the underdog against the defending champion three years his senior, but he aims to stun the experienced player.

Popyrin went into the Paris Olympics with two wins over players ranked in the top 10 and a seventh coming against Zverev will be timely for the world No. 63, seeking a major scalp against the German star.

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Tournament so far

Alexander Zverev:

First round: vs. Jaume Munar 6-2 6-2
Second round: Tomas Machac 6-3 7-5

Alexei Popyrin:

First round: vs. Nicolas Jarry 6-3 7-6[5]
Second round: vs. Stan Wawrinka 6-4 7-5

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Head To Head

Basel (2018) - Round of 16: Zverev 6-4 6-4

Acapulco (2019) - Round of 32: Zverev 6-3 6-3

While Wednesday's match will be Zverev's third meeting with Popyrin, the pair have not faced off since 2019.

Much has passed in the intervening five years since their previous match-up, with the Australian's experience possibly standing him in good stead to challenge the German.

Zverev claimed past wins over Popyrin without dropping a set, and the 27-year-old seeks to keep that going in the third round.

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We say: Zverev to win in two sets

Not only is Zverev the defending champion, but he thrives in these parts, underscored by multiple deep runs at Roland Garros. The German should have too much for the Olympic Games debutant as he seeks a spot in the last eight.
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