Australian Open 2018 kicks off Monday with a full slate of opening round matches. Our experts Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and Brett Margolies take you through the biggest matches of the day on the men’s side, and offer their predictions, including Denis Shapovalov vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kevin Anderson vs. Kyle Edmund
Steen: Anderson should have too much power and should be too hard to break against Edmund. Edmund is no pushover but the matchup does not favor him at all. Anderson has really upped his game since last fall. Anderson in 3
Yesh: Kyle Edmund has slowly and steadily improved over the past few years, but I don’t think he has a game to match with Anderson. The big South African is just too good on this surface. Anderson in 3
Brett: Kevin Anderson has been playing well as of late. He’s a real contender to make a deep run in Melbourne. His last meeting with Kyle Edmund took place at the French Open where he defeated Edmund in five sets. I don’t think this one will be as close. Anderson in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Jason Kubler
Steen: Kubler is an amazing story, he’s always had ATP level talent but was only able to play on clay due to serious knee problems. Seemingly having recovered, he now gets a second chance and will take the court in Melbourne at his home slam opposite Carreno Busta. PCB keeps improving on hard court and he’s hard to break down these days, Kubler will test him, but usually Cinderella stories strike midnight at some point. Carreno Busta in 5
Yesh: Carreno Busta just keeps getting better and better. A revelation on the Challenger circuit a few years ago, he’s finally translating that to consistent success on the main tour. Carreno Busta in 3
Brett: One of the best stories of the tournament can take place on day one. At one point in his career Jason Kubler was only able to play on clay due to knee issues, now ten years after his first Australian Open he’s back. Carreno Busta will be tough, but definitely beatable. I don’t think it’ll take long for the first upset to happen in Melbourne. Kubler in 4
David Ferrer vs. Andrey Rublev
Steen: Rublev has some great shotmaking ability but Ferrer played great in Auckland and grinding out matches like this is his speciality. Rublev played great in his run to the Doha final but he was exposed as a bit one dimensional in that final. Ferrer should eke this one out. Ferrer in 5
Yesh: How can I ever pick against David Ferrer? The Spaniard fights and scraps his way to every point, and is one of the biggest overachievers on tour of the last decade. Rublev is up-and-coming and might just have too much power for Ferrer to handle. It will all depend on if the Spaniard can rattle him. Ferrer in 5
Brett: Both players had good weeks leading up to the Australian Open. Rublev reached the finals in Doha before falling to Monfils, and Ferrer reached the semifinals in Auckland before losing to Juan Martin Del Potro. Ferrer hasn’t lost in the opening round of the Australian Open since 2005, his experience will be key in this tough first round match. Ferrer in 5
Denis Shapovalov vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Steen: Two big talents, Shapovalov has been shaky to start the year and will have more pressure on his shoulders. Tsitsipas is playing with house money and given the talent difference isn’t that massive, I’ll go with the greek. Tsitsipas in 4
Yesh: These are two young future stars, but Shapovalov is just further along. As long as the Canadian can keep his cool and focus, he should win this match. Shapovalov in 4
Brett: If you’re a fan of up and coming players this match is as good as it gets. Both players are being looked at as the future, so it’s unfortunate that they’ll meet in the first round. Shapovalov has showed that he doesn’t shy away from the big stage, but Tsitsipas ended the 2017 on a high note which makes me think he’s ready to breakout this year. Tsitsipas in 4
Borna Coric vs. John Millman
Steen: John Millman should get a home boost, he’s a bit outgunned against Coric, but the Croat hasn’t always been able to put together the different parts of his game and find consistent success. Millman will push Coric, and Coric should respond in kind. Coric in 4
Yesh: Borna Coric is supremely talented, but hasn’t at all been consistent. Australians seem to always overperform at their home Slam. We might see an upset here, but I think Coric can keep his level up and come through. Coric in 4
Brett: Borna Coric will be looking to win his first match ever at the Australian Open, it’s the only slam where he hasn’t recorded a win at. He has a favorable draw playing John Millman, but the Australian will definitely have the crowd on his side. This one will be close, but I’d expect Coric to play better in the end with a great opportunity to win his first match at the Australian Open. Coric in 5
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