Stefanos Tsitsipas will need to be healthy and play well to get past Mikael Ymer in his first round Australian Open match. We have predictions for every first round match in Melbourne including Andy Murray and John Isner’s first round contests.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Mikael Ymer
Anish Joshi: Mikael Ymer has played three matches this season and looked in decent form. He made the third round here last year, and will be looking to do the same now.
The huge drop in his form after the demoralizing French Open loss hasn’t been fully compensated by Tsitsipas. And to add insult to injury–rather the other way round here–an elbow niggle flared up during the ATP Finals. Though now, according to himself, Tsitsipas is close to his 100 percent. If he really is, then he might be able to repeat the outcome of this matchup, which happened in the third round last year. Tsitsipas is 5
Damian Kust: We don’t know if the elbow injury will be hampering Stefanos Tsisipas in any way. If he performs at his level from the ATP Cup, Mikael Ymer is capable of making him work but likely not of winning. Tsitsipas in 4
Jordan Thompson vs Steve Johnson
Anish: Local guy Jordan Thompson is making an eighth main draw appearance at his home Slam, which is pretty good for a 27 year old. From his four matches this year, he has won two, without any exceptional performances. Steve Johnson too, has played four matches, though two were in the qualifying rounds at the ATP Adelaide Open. This matchup between the two mustachioed gentlemen is pretty even, but the home crowd will give Thompson an edge. Thompson in 5
Damian: Jordan Thompson is a master of unexpected slam runs, but has never done that well at this major. He should like his chances here though and playing at home is always a benefit. Thompson in 5
Ilya Ivashka vs Pablo Andujar
Anish: Ilya Ivashka has established himself as a solid hardcourter after his title triumph at the ATP Winston Salem. Due to some fitness related problems towards the end of the last season, he returns to tennis this year directly as the AO. Pablo Andujar has played one match this year in the qualifying rounds of the Sydney ATP, and lost it to a world rank #345. Also, his record at the Australian Open is not very inspiring. Though Ivashka would be coming from a two month break, he is the favorite for this match. Ivashka in 4
Damian: Ilya Ivashka withdrew from the warm-up event in Melbourne due to an ankle injury. The Belarusian is a far superior player in quicker conditions though and if he manages to recover, should be winning this anyway. Ivashka in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Richard Gasquet
Anish: Richard Gasquet had an average season last year, though he made a tour level Final after 3 years. His fellow countryman Ugo Humbert didn’t have a very successful outing at the ATP Cup two weeks back, but the quality of tennis he displayed is amazing. He has shown good performances on the fast hard courts. If the courts here are as fast as those of last year, Humbert has a good chance to make a mark in this tournament. He has already shown at the ATP Cup what he is capable of, beating Daniil Medvedev, who is the highest seed now in the draw. Humbert in 4
Damian: Three long games at the ATP Cup should give the younger of the Frenchmen plenty of head start in terms of match practice. Richard Gasquet will be playing for the first time in 2022 and likely won’t trouble his compatriot. Humbert in 4
Main Photo:
