The men’s third round at the 2019 Australian Open will complete with Novak Djokovic vs Denis Shapovalov and top 5 player Alex Zverev seeking a spot in the second week of the tournament. Our panelists offer up their predictions.
Novak Djokovic vs Denis Shapovalov
Steen Kirby: Djokovic is playing well and although Shapovalov is set to be his biggest challenge thus far, he should be in the form to pass it in flying colors. I expect Shapovalov to push hard for a set before Djokovic takes control of the match. Djokovic in 4
Yesh Ginsburg: Shapovalov has already picked up some big wins in his young career, but this is a chance at his biggest. Djokovic has been solid so far, but not perfect. Shapovalov will make this a challenge, but Djokovic will ultimately up his game and put it away. Djokovic in 4
Jack Rossiter-Munley: Great rivalries are built on contrasting styles. Shapovalov is a flashy left-handed shot-maker with a wild, explosive game capable of subduing even hall-of-fame opposition. Djokovic is a controlled and precise, rightly who is widely regarded as the most technically perfect player in history. Shapovalov won’t win, but he could get a set off Djokovic if he plays well. As long as the match is a close loss, Shapovalov can feel good about his run in Australia. Djokovic in 4
Fabio Fognini vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Steen: Fognini has never beaten PCB, this is a close matchup that could go either way but I’ll back the Spaniard due to the h2h. PCB in 5
Yesh: This should be a fun match. Both are characters and both have huge talent. Fognini, though, is both the bigger character and the bigger talent. If he can stay focused, he should win. Fognini in 4
Jack: Hard to pick between these two. As is so often the case with Fognini matches, the entire affair hinges on whether a committed, dialed in Fognini is on court, or if he is mentally checked out or loses focus. Carreno Busta is by far the more solid player, but Fognini’s best is virtually unplayably good. PCB in 4
Kei Nishikori vs Joao Sousa
Steen: Sousa is playing well and Nishikori is going to be gassed after two long matches to reach this point. That said, the gap in talent between these players is still a factor and I expect a battle. I’ll back the favored Nishikori to reach week 2. Nishikori in 4
Yesh: Sousa is in the midst of an impressive run, and Nishikori has not looked great in either of his matches so far. The Japanese can up his level at any time, but based on what I’ve seen, I’m going with the upset. Sousa in 4
Jack: On paper this match-up is a no-brainer with Nishikori, the former US Open finalist and three time Australian Open quarterfinalist, the heavy favorite. However, it has taken him ten sets of play just to reach the third round. He should still win against Sousa, but it may be a lot closer than he would like. Nishikori in 4
Alexander Zverev vs Alex Bolt
Steen: Bolt is redlining his game right now but Zverev is a far better player and if he can recover from his usual mental lapses in slams he’ll ease through this matchup and disappoint the home fans. Zverev in 3
Yesh: Zverev has looked very vulnerable so far this tournament, and Bolt is in the midst of the run of his life. I honestly think that Bolt wants it more, but their skill sets are too similar and Zverev is just better. Unless Zverev lets the occasion or crowd get to him, he should win. Zverev in 4
Jack: Alex Bolt had enough to upset the 29th seed, but against Zverev even home crowd support won’t be enough. As has become almost a requirement for Zverev at slams, he wobbled badly against Jeremy Chardy. He won’t do that again, and Bolt simply won’t have the shots to push him. Zverev in 3
David Goffin vs Daniil Medvedev
Steen: Goffin is working his way back to a high level but Medvedev is at the peak of his career right now and should continue his run into the second week. Medvedev in 3
Yesh: Goffin and Medvedev both have very quietly but impressively made their way into the third round. Goffin just got by Marius Copil, who is very similar to Medvedev. Goffin in 4
Jack: The two players quietly carving their way through the draw after some time away from the top of the game are Tomas Berdych and David Goffin. Berdych has played a bit more convincingly, but Goffin’s form has been rock solid. Goffin’s ability to get extra balls into play will prove the difference with Medvedev executing his more aggressive, more power-based game well, but Goffin finding answers to even his best shots. Goffin in 5
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