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, Eric Han, and Fraser Learmonth.
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, Andrey Rublev vs Yannick Hanfmann, Matteo Berrettini vs Kevin Anderson, Lorenzo Sonego vs Sam Querrey, and Rafael Nadal vs Laslo Djere.
Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Tennys Sandgren vs Alex de Minaur
Jim:
Alex de Minaur has not yet managed to really make an impact at his home Slam, something that he will surely be desperate to change. But regardless of whether he does fashion a deep run this fortnight in Melbourne, it would certainly be a surprise if he isn’t able to get the better of Tennys Sandgren.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
Fraser:
Sandgren has a reputation for performing in Slams. The big-serving American enjoys the fast courts of Melbourne and will be hoping for a repeat of his deep run last year at this tournament. However, De Minaur is rapidly becoming one of the best players on the men’s tour. The Aussie covers the court better than anyone and often wins matches by making his opponents play more balls than they want to. Sandgren is a quality player, but De minaur has a level he can’t match.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Eric:
De Minaur has had an impressive start to 2021, as he captured his fourth career title earlier in the year. De Minaur should get through Sandgren without much trouble and advance to the next round here.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Sumit Nagal vs Ricardas Berankis
Jim:
It is hard to have much faith in Sumit Nagal’s chances against Ricardas Berankis after the Lithuanian thrashed the Indian 6-2 6-2 last week. Of course, stranger things have happened, but it would be a real surprise were Berankis not the man to reach the second round.
Prediction: Berankis in 3
Fraser:
Berankis is a solid if not spectacular tennis player who enjoys hard courts. By ocntrast, Nagal much prefers the clay and is yet to break into the top 100 of the tour on a consistent basis. berankis is also in decent form having put matches under his belt in the ATP warmup tournaments this week. This may be tight, but Berankis has more quality and is far more comfortable on hard courts. Back him to move on here.
Prediction: Berankis in 4
Eric:
The pair played against each other just last week in the Melbourne warm-up tournament, in which Berankis won. Expect Nagal to change some tactics up and win this time.
Prediction: Nagal in 4
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Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson
Jim:
Jordan Thompson has been in good form lately, but this is a tough draw for the Australian. Casper Ruud still has work to do if he wants to establish himself as one of the very best in the game, but the building blocks are there. His solid baseline game should see him past Thompson and into the round of 64 at Melbourne Park.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Fraser:
Ruud is one of the rising stars on the men’s tour after a stellar 2020. However,, he is yet to adapt his game to hard courts and remains far more comfortable on clay. Thompson is very much the reverse and feels most at home on hard courts, particularly those of his home nation. Ruud’s quality should make this close but I think it will be a while before he starts being a threat on this surface.
Prediction: Thompson in 4
Eric:
Thompson played extremely well in Adelaide last week, as he reached the quarterfinals there. A tough match to predict, but with home support and good form from Thompson–he could get through.
Prediction: Thompson in 4
Gilles Simon vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Jim:
Once upon a time, this would have been a very tough first-round draw for Stefanos Tsitsipas. But Gilles Simon is not the force he once was. His groundstrokes remain consistent, but he no longer covers the court as he did when he was at the peak of his powers and the Greek should be able to hit through him as a result.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Fraser:
This match could well be one of the more exciting of the first round. Simon is in the twilight of a successful career whilst Tsitsipas is one of the shining lights of the new generation in men’s tennis. However, SImon is still and adept counterpuncher and great defender when in the mood. Tsitsipas will want to be the agressor in this match but could well be drawn in to errors by Simon if he is off the pace. This shuld be close, but the Greek will get it done.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Eric:
A fascinating first round match up between youth and experience. The Frenchman has not bowed out of the first round of Melbourne since 2007, and will be desperate to keep his impressive record alive when he takes on the Greek. Expect a close battle, but Tsitsipas edging through.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Main Photo from Getty.
