We’ve seen some incredible tennis on the first day of the Australian Open, and there’s much more to look forward to on Day 2. 32 men’s matches will be contested on Tuesday, and we’re predicting every single one of them. Predicting this group of matches is Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
Each set of predictions from us looks at four matches. That means the 32 matches will be split between eight articles. The other articles feature Alexei Popyrin vs David Goffin, Daniil Medvedev vs Vasek Pospisil, Fabio Fognini vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Gilles Simon vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini vs Kevin Anderson, Lorenzo Sonego vs Sam Querrey, and Andrey Rublev vs Yannick Hanfmann.
Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Mackenzie McDonald vs Marco Cecchinato
Jim:
Marco Cecchinato may have a Grand Slam semifinal appearance to his name, but the Italian has never really managed to find a winning strategy away from his preferred clay. This looks like a very winnable match for Mackenzie McDonald as a result.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Yesh:
Full disclosure: I saw McDonald play as a teenager and qualify for Cincinnati almost a decade ago, and I’ve been waiting for his breakthrough ever since. I don’t know if it’s ever coming, but this is the best chance he’ll get with this draw.
Prediction: McDonald in 3
Damian:
Marco Cecchinato can be a wonderful clay-court player but he has a 0-7 lifetime win/loss record at hard court Slams. This is a draw that gives him a decent chance to change it but Mackenzie McDonald scored a good win over Richard Gasquet last week and should feel rather confident coming into this one.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Mikael Torpegaard vs Lloyd Harris
Jim:
Torpegaard did well to come through the first two rounds of qualifying in Dubai, but he was outclassed by Tomas Machac in the third round, winning just three games. That does not bode particularly well for his chances against a player of Lloyd Harris’ quality.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Yesh:
The former Ohio State Buckeye is looking for a Grand Slam triumph, and with these courts he’ll have a real chance. If he can make Harris just a little uncomfortable in his service games, Torpegaard can keep himself in this.
Prediction: Torpegaard in 4
Damian:
This could be a great one. Mikael Torpegaard is very dangerous in fast conditions and the courts in Melbourne are reported to play that way. Lloyd Harris had a couple of great runs last year and while his 2021 campaign started with a loss last week, he usually doesn’t need much rhythm to play well. The experience amassed at that level could also give the South African a slight edge.
Prediction: Harris in 4
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Ilya Ivashka vs Roman Safiullin
Jim:
Jim: Roman Safiullin has played some solid tennis lately and impressed in coming through the qualifying. But Ilya Ivashka is that much further ahead in terms of his development than the Russian and, crucially, is more experienced. Expect that to prove the difference.
Prediction: Ivashka in 4
Yesh:
Ivashka has a big game but is often inconsistent. Still, he’s better than his opponent and that’s all that really matters right here.
Prediction: Ivashka in 4
Damian:
Ilya Ivashka hasn’t competed since winning the Ortisei Challenger in November, so there is little to indicate if that form is still there. Roman Safiullin did well to qualify but his level usually fluctuates a lot more than Ivashka’s. The Belarusian is very good at counterpunching which should give him a nice advantage in this matchup.
Prediction: Ivashka in 4
Rafael Nadal vs Laslo Djere
Jim:
Rafael Nadal did not get any matches under his belt at the ATP Cup, meaning that he will likely come into the Australian Open a little undercooked. However, Laslo Djere has lost both of the matches he has played so far this year and even at his very best would struggle to get the better of Nadal.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Yesh:
Is Nadal fully healthy? How long can Djere redline and try to blast Nadal off the court? The answers to those two questions will determine how close this match is. But Nadal is winning, and the final result will never really be in doubt.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Damian:
Rafael Nadal’s back made him choose not to compete at the ATP Cup and while that might be a precaution, it will be a huge concern at the latter stages of the tournament. Laslo Djere plays his best on clay and if the injury is light, Nadal shouldn’t have too many issues here.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
