Fan favorite Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Roberto Bautista Agut will face off on day 1 of the Australian Open, while Stefanos Tsitsipas battles Sal Caruso. Steen Kirby, Damian Kust, and Yesh Ginsburg offer their predictions.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Sal Caruso
Damian: This should be relatively straightforward. Caruso feels best on clay and has nothing to hurt Tsitsipas with. Even if the Greek is somehow very off his game, the sole damage his serve can do will be enough to get him through. Tsitsipas in 3
Steen: Caruso should struggle here, this is not his surface and Tsitsipas has to fancy himself as a real contender this year. This will be a rout with the large Greek population in Melbourne rallying behind their favorite player. Tsitsipas in 3
Yesh: Tsitsipas showed some vulnerabilities at times towards the end of last year, but I can’t see Caruso upsetting any strong player on any surface but clay, and maybe not even there. Tsitsipas in 3
Kyle Edmund vs Dusan Lajovic
Damian: The Serbian will arrive here with plenty of confidence following his ATP Cup heroics that played a vital part in Serbia’s win. He’s a great mover and has an uncanny ability to retrieve the balls. That convinces me he should be considered the favorite of this clash. Lajovic in 5
Steen: Edmund has never lost to Lajovic, the Serbian is playing well going 4-2 in ATP Cup singles play, but on hard courts I’ll still back Edmund in a battle. Edmund in 5
Yesh: Lajovic played incredible tennis at the ATP Cup. These two players are about even and both should be solid on this surface. I’ll go with the hot player right now, though, and that’s the Serbian. Lajovic in 5
Feliciano Lopez vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Damian: That looks to be a very exciting first round clash. Bautista Agut is defending last year’s quarterfinal points, which always put a bit of pressure on you. Lopez is always tough to play with his all-court style but it is doubtful he can be consistent enough to keep his younger compatriot on the back foot for long enough in a best of five sets match. Bautista Agut in 4
Steen: Lopez’s serve and volley presents a challenge, but his career is winding down and Bautista Agut remains a solid and consistent top tier ATP player. RBA will grind his way through a win and weather Lopez’s serve. Bautista Agut in 5
Yesh: Feliciano Lopez recently set the record for most losses ever on the ATP Tour. He’s about to add another one, against a confident Bautista-Agut, who always seems to do well in Melbourne. Bautista-Agut in 4
Matteo Berrettini vs Andrew Harris
Damian: The Italian hasn’t had a warm-up event but if he picks up close to where he left off last season, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll have too much for the Australian wildcard. That serve and forehand combination was a serious threat to many last season and it should be so again on Monday. Berrettini in 3
Steen: Berrettini’s form to finish the year wasn’t the best, but Harris is a newbie at this level and his caliber of play is a bit of an unknown. The Italian who had a breakout 2019 is the favorite to win. Berrettini in 3
Yesh: Berrettini faces an Australian who has never really shown anything in Australia, let alone anywhere else. The Italian should cruise. Berrettini in 3
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