Yesh Ginsburg, Brett Margolies and Sam Barker are on hand to take you through the best of the upcoming action on day 5 at the Australian Open including fan favorites Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Nick Kyrgios squaring off. Predictions are below.
Diego Schwartzman vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Yesh: Schwartzman has not looked great so far in this tournament, but his confidence is growing. It’s hard to know which Dolgopolov will show up in any match. He has incredible talent, but has not at all been consistent in recent years. Schwartzman in 4
Brett: I think Dolgopolov is flying a little under the radar right now. He’s had his best slam result in Australia reaching the quarterfinals in 2011. I think his tricky style of play will cause problems for Schwartzman, I like his chances to pull off the upset over the 24th seed. Dolgopolov in 5
Sam: Two players of similar statue but contrasting style. Dolgopolov’s explosive, offensive game should be perfectly matched by Schwartzman counterpuncher technique leading to a fascinating encounter. I think Dolgopolov will become more frustrated the longer the match goes on and that will ultimately cost him. Schwartzman in 5
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Gilles Muller
Yesh: Gilles Muller is hard to beat on this court when his game is on. It’s not grass, but it’s tough to play through. Unfortunately for him, Carreno Busta has the grinding ability to frustrate Muller. Carreno Busta in 3
Brett: I’m a little surprised at how well Carreno Busta has played so far in the early stages of the tournament. Muller got through a tough five set win over Jaziri, but you have to wonder how much the 34-year-old will have left against an opponent who will be fresh. Carreno Busta in 3
Sam: Carreno Busta has developed into one of the most reliable players over the last eighteen months and that has been justifiably backed up by his ranking. While Muller is a notoriously tricky player with his fluid lefty serve, Carreno Busta is too solid to let that affect him and will come through this relatively untroubled. Carreno Busta in 4
Ryan Harrison vs. Marin Cilic
Yesh: I don’t quite think Harrison has the grinding ability to get by Cilic, but it can be close. The American has very quietly radically improved his game in the past year, but upsetting the former US Open champion is too big an ask. Cilic in 4
Brett: Ryan Harrison has been one of the only bright spots for the American men so far. Cilic is just a bad matchup for him though, he has a 5-1 lead H2H with most of them not being close. I think Harrison could hang around for a little bit, but doesn’t have enough to win. Cilic in 4
Sam: Seemingly out of nowhere, Marin Cilic came alive in his first two matches and his serve looks more impenetrable than ever. Harrison has strung a decent year together so far but will have to play at his absolute peak to cope with the Croat. Cilic has the power and the experience to cruise into the fourth round. Cilic in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Andrey Rublev
Yesh: Dimitrov was pushed to the absolute limit by Mackenzie McDonald. The young American will be a standout someday, but he isn’t there yet. Dimitrov stamina isn’t there, and that will catch up to him against the big-hitting Rublev. Rublev in 4
Brett: Grigor Dimitrov was tested in his second round win over Mackenzie Mcdonald, winning 8-6 in the fifth set. Dimitrov got through but showed he was vulnerable. Rublev defeated Dimitrov in straight sets at the US Open last year, I don’t think it’ll be that one-sided but I think Rublev wins again. Rublev in 4
Sam: Dimitrov dug deep to avoid an enormous upset against unknown quantity Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and will be keen to avoid another lengthy five-setter. That will be tough though against a fast-improving Andrey Rublev. His variety of shots will cause Dimitrov problems but the World No.3 should just about have enough in the tank to sneak through. Dimitrov in 5
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Nick Kyrgios
Yesh: This should be one heck of a match. Both players have huge games and each should be inspired to play his best here. Kyrgios won’t have any walkabouts in front of his own crowd. Tsonga will be inspired by his miraculous comeback against Denis Shapovalov last match, and should be able to gut this out. Tsonga in 5
Brett: This will be the first test for Kyrgios after an easy draw to start. After Tsonga somehow got through the Shapovalov match, I think he might play a little more relaxed. If Tsonga’s able to play well I can see Kyrgios getting frustrated and not being able to recover. Tsonga in 4
Sam: What do you get when you put two of tennis’ most entertaining and explosive athletes on the same court? One heck of a show. This match will undoubtedly be a sell out and the pair will duly deliver to their audience. While the quality of their groundstrokes is not too dissimilar, Kyrgios has the edge in the serving department and that will make the difference in the end. Kyrgios in 4
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