There should be no shortage of entertaining action on day six at the Australian Open, with the remaining 16 players in the bottom half of the men’s draw set to battle for a place in the second week. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Daniil Medvedev vs Filip Krajinovic, with our panel of Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Damian Kust making their picks for this slate of matches. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day Six Predictions
Rafael Nadal vs Cameron Norrie
Jim: Rafael Nadal may be struggling with a back injury, but it doesn’t appear to be making much of an impact on his tennis. He has dropped only a handful of games so far. Admittedly, both Laslo Djere and Michael Mmoh presented very favourable matchups for the Spaniard. But so too does Cameron Norrie. Expect another comfortable Nadal victory.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Yesh: Norrie has had a good result here already, picking up two solid wins over his compatriot Dan Evans and Roman Safiullin, and Nadal doesn’t look 100%. It doesn’t matter, though. Even at 70%, Nadal should easily beat the Brit.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Damian: Nadal’s back issues have lowered his serve speed a lot, but is that enough to stop him from winning matches? Not really, at least until he faces an elite opponent that is. That’s how good the Spaniard is and realistically Norrie lacks sufficient weaponry to expose Nadal’s struggles. This should be rather comfortable for Nadal.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
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Lloyd Harris vs Mackenzie McDonald
Jim: This is a big opportunity for both men to reach the rarefied air of the fourth round at a Major. Mackenzie McDonald has been there before, but the courts at Melbourne Park look to be favouring the big-hitters and there are few more powerfully equipped than Lloyd Harris. The South African should have just enough to edge out McDonald.
Prediction: Harris in 5
Yesh: McDonald, after some injury struggles, is finally putting together the breakout showing I’ve been expecting for years. I’m here to see it go another round.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Damian: This is a great opportunity for both and it should be a very tight battle. McDonald won their only meeting at the Seoul Challenger three years ago, but it was nerve-racking until the very end. Harris has developed a lot since then, breaking the top 100 and putting together a number of good runs on the ATP Tour. His powerful game can be erratic, but in these reportedly fast conditions, it should be of massive help.
Prediction: Harris in 4
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Karen Khachanov vs Matteo Berrettini
Jim: This might just be the match of day six. Both men have made assured starts to their Australian Open campaigns and both, unsurprisingly, look to be enjoying the quick conditions. But Matteo Berrettini is that much more committed to playing his tennis on the front foot. That may well be because his relatively limited skillset leaves him with no other option, but it should once again count in his favour.
Prediction: Berrettini in 5
Yesh: This is a matchup of two future potential Slam champions in Khachanov and Berrettini who are each having trouble sustaining a top level. This should be some hard hitting action and a fun match to watch. But I expect the Russian to edge it.
Prediction: Khachanov in 5
Damian: Berrettini leads the head-to-head 3-0, beating Khachanov twice on grass and once indoors two years ago. The Italian also started the season much better, only losing to Daniil Medvedev in the final of the ATP Cup. Both players are extremely powerful and it will be a real fistfight for who gets to dictate the play. But along with his psychological advantage, Berrettini’s better form as of late should give him the edge.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
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Andrey Rublev vs Feliciano Lopez
Jim: Andrey Rublev has been quietly and efficiently going about his business so far in Melbourne, but his credentials will be tested here. Feliciano Lopez may have lost half a step, but he is the sort of player that Rublev has struggled against in the past. Still, the Russian has been hitting the ball with sufficient force that he should be able to bludgeon his way past the Spaniard.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Yesh: Rublev is playing incredible tennis at the moment. He should be considered one of the favourites to win it all right now. Lopez will have nothing for him, especially after a five-setter in the second round. This will be a brutally efficient match.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Damian: Lopez’s fightback to come from two sets down to beat Lorenzo Sonego was fantastic. But the 39-year-old veteran is running into a red-hot opponent here, who is one of the biggest favourites to win the whole event. Rublev’s form has been amazing for over a year now and his unbeaten start to the year just confirms that the Russian is a threat to anyone at his point.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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