Day 3 in Melbourne at the Australian Open sees Canadian hope Denis Shapovalov take on veteran battler Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and fan favorite Marcos Baghdatis taking on rising Russian Andrey Rublev in notable matchups. Brett Margolies, Yesh Ginsburg, and Steen Kirby take you through their previews and predictions.
Damir Dzumhur vs. John Millman
Steen: Dzumhur has a h2h win but he comes off a five setter. Millman has the crowd behind him and routed Borna Coric in the opening round. Injuries have slowed Millman in the past but this may be his breakthrough year. Millman in 4
Yesh: Dzumhur has really come on in recent years, but the Aussies are teaching us never to pick against them this year. This should be a great match, but I’ll trust Millman with the crowd’s backing. Millman in 5
Brett: What an opportunity for Australian John Millman. After defeating Borna Coric easily, he has to like his draw. Dzumhur defeated Paolo Lorenzi from 2 sets to 0 down, but if Millman plays the way he did yesterday he shouldn’t have much trouble. Millman in 4
Diego Schwartzman vs. Casper Ruud
Steen: Both players won five setters 11-9 in the 5th set and depending on the weather, we could see a retirement or at least some medical timeouts in this one. Ruud came through qualifying so fatigue should wear on him even more, Schwartzman is undersized but he’s pesky to put away and should edge it. Schwartzman in 4
Yesh: Schwartzman fought his way back in the first round. It will all depend on what he has left in the tank. Ruud had a breakout Round 1, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to build on it in this tournament. Schwartzman in 4
Brett: You just have to wonder how much Ruud will have left in the tank after defeating Quintin Halys 11-9 in the fifth set. Diego Schwartzman isn’t an opponent you want to face after a long match like that either. Schwartzman in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Gilles Simon
Steen: Simon and PCB have split h2h meetings, but PCB struggled with his serve in the opening round, while Simon kept up his winning momentum with a straight set opening round win. Simon is ranked lower but I’m not convinced he’s not better than PCB right now. Simon in 3
Yesh: Gilles Simon has mostly fallen off the map in the past few years, but he has the game to give Carreno Busta all sorts of problems. If he can find some of his old form, he should be able to come through this. Simon in 4
Brett: Gilles Simon’s title in Pune to start the season showed signs that he’s ready to have a good season after going 16-25 last year. If you like long rallies this match is for you, I can see this one going five as both players seem to be in good form right now. Simon in 5
Andrey Rublev vs. Marcos Baghdatis
Steen: Baghdatis won his first tour level match of the year in the opening round and continues to have threatening shotmaking ability even though his game has declined from its peak. Rublev choked in the fourth set against David Ferrer, but won in the end and he’s proven his mettle early on this year. Rublev should have too much power for Baggy. Rublev in 3
Yesh: Baghdatis is so far past his prime, but it just feels mean picking against him. Still, Rublev is an up-and-comer who just smacks the cover off the ball. It will be hard for the Cypriot to keep up. Rublev in 4
Brett: Marcos Baghdatis at the Australian Open is always must see TV. This has the potential to be fun with the Australian crowd, and Rublev’s hot headed temperament. Baghdatis always seems to have a little extra this time of the year, I like his chances to reach the third round. Baghdatis in 4
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Denis Shapovalov
Steen: Both Tsonga and Shapovalov looked fantastic in the opening round and this contest should be a cracker. Tsonga has experience, but he’s slowed down a bit, Shapovalov brings fantastic shot placement and youthful energy. Shapovalov has already proven himself at the slam level but Tsonga finished last year strong and should be able to continue that momentum. Tsonga will edge it. Tsonga in 5
Yesh: This is absolutely the biggest match of the second round. The young Canadian budding star faces a former Australian Open finalist, albeit one who has been struggling with form recently. The rising Canadian will come through and set himself up as a Grand Slam competitor for all of 2018. Shapovalov in 4
Brett: It’ll be interesting to see what kind of adjustments Tsonga makes against Shapovalov after losing to him in straight sets at the US Open. Shapovalov played flawless in his first round win over Tsitsipas, but will need to play at the same level again to defeat the #15 seed. It’ll be close, but I think Tsonga gets revenge on the young Canadian. Tsonga in 4
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