Day 4 means that the Australian Open concludes the second round on Thursday in Melbourne. 32 men will compete for a spot in the third round. We’re here at LWOT to predict all 16 matches four you. The predictions are split between four articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Andrey Rublev vs Thiago Monteiro, Rafael Nadal vs Michael Mmoh, and Daniil Medvedev vs Roberto Carballes Baena. Predicting this set of matches are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Damian Kust, and Fraser Learmonth.
Australian Open Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Alexei Popyrin vs Lloyd Harris
Yesh:
Maybe it’s just me, but I never think so highly of Lloyd Harris. I know that he’s a consistent player with a big game who can hang with most players, but it seems like every time I watch him he struggles to pull through. Popyrin is the better player, and that should come through throughout the match.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
Fraser:
Two big servers meet in what should be a tight affair here. Both Popyrin and Harris have been in and around the top 100 without managing to climb higher up the ranks. A third round appearance at the Australian Open would go a long way towards changing that. Popyrin has the higher ceiling and is in better form at the moment after he beat David Goffin in the first round. The confidence boost from that win should be enough to see him over the line here.
Prediction: Popyrin in 5
Damian:
You can always count on Alexei Popyrin to make an upset at a Grand Slam and his win against David Goffin (four match points saved) was just massive. The Australian’s confidence will be sky-high after this one and that surely makes him a dangerous threat. Together with the crowd support there’s definitely potential for another, albeit slim, upset.
Prediction: Popyrin in 5
Tommy Paul vs Casper Ruud
Yesh:
Tommy Paul went pro over five years ago, but he hasn’t quite found a top level yet. Ruud is a better player and more used to winning bigger matches. I’ll take the Norwegian here.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Fraser:
Paul did well to dispatch a dangerous customer in Basilashvili in the first round. Ruud too played well to book his place in the second round after taking a two sets to love lead over Jordan Thompson before the Aussie retired. Ruud is perhaps the player with more potential, but he is yet to adapt his game fully to hard courts and that will prove the difference in what should be a good match.
Prediction: Paul in 5
Damian:
The surface advantage could be the most important factor here. Casper Ruud won this matchup at the French Open last year but it was really tight and went the distance. Tommy Paul did very well here in 2020 and should have a much better shot than in Paris here.
Prediction: Paul in 5
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Fabio Fognini vs Salvatore Caruso
Yesh:
It’s taken quite a while, but Fognini has found his rhythm and his game for now. Of course, that can always quickly change with the mercurial Italian, but he should be able to beat Caruso at just about every facet of the game if he’s interested.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Fraser:
Fognini looked focused and engaged in his first round win over Herbert. The Italian is among the best in the men’s game when he is in the mood to play. Caruso picked up a solid first round win but is by far the inferior player and not comfortable on this surface. Fognini should move on without too much fuss if he stays focused.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Damian:
After an awful start to his ATP Cup campaign, it looks like Fabio Fognini finally managed to find some nice rhythm. His peak is absolutely ridiculous and if he maintains the concentration, the upside should be too much for a somewhat unspectacular player like Salvatore Caruso. This match should be mostly on Fognini’s racket.
Prediction: Fognini in 4
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Yesh:
It just feels cruel to predict against Kokkinakis here, but he’s probably not winning. The Aussie is not yet in position to compete at the highest levels, while Tsitsipas is one of the absolute best in the world.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Fraser:
Kokkinakis picked up his first win at the Australian Open since 2015 in one of the feel-good stories of the first round. However, that is probably as far as he will get this year given he faces an in-form Tsitsipas in Round 2. The young Greek star dispatched Gilles SImon with authority in hist first match of the tournament and will have his heart set on a deep run here. He should move on to the third round easily enough.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Damian:
Definitely aesthetically pleasing but probably not that close. It’s great to see a player haunted by constant injuries finally do well, but Thanasi Kokkinakis probably isn’t ready for this level yet. Stefanos Tsitsipas sent off the always tricky Gilles Simon in extremely comfortable fashion.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our Australian Open Day 4 predictions? As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
