Shotmakers Gael Monfils and Aslan Karatsev will be on display on day 3 of the Australian Open, as both players seek a third round appearance. Our panelists have predictions for every day 3 match including Rafael Nadal and Hubert Hurkacz’s matches.
Gael Monfils vs Alexander Bublik
Damian Kust: This is like the universe telling us “have fun predicting this one, I dare you”. Undeniably an exciting watch, I’ll take the player who’s much more steady, but also under a bit of fitness question mark. Monfils in 5
Jack Edward: Any notions that Monfils could be ailing after pulling out of his match in Adelaide were laid to rest with a dominant victory over Federico Coria. Without Djokovic to worry about, given a huge opportunity, I trust Monfils to serve better than Bublik. Monfils in 3
Harsh Bhoot: This should be an entertaining one. Both players are supreme entertainers on their day and that should be the case in this match as well. Monfils backed up his strong start to 2022 with an easy win over Coria. Bubik did struggle and he’ll be relying on his variety to unsettle Monfils. Unfortunately for him, Monfils is still pretty quick around the court and should be able to win most of the baseline rallies. Monfils goes through. Monfils in 3
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic
Damian: Carlos Alcaraz played lights out in the opening round, despite some concerns that he wouldn’t be quite himself instantly after having gone through COVID-19 recently. In fast hardcourt conditions, Dusan Lajovic has little arguments to stop him if the Spaniard is playing well. Alcaraz in 3
Jack: Even if Lajovic’s form was a bit better, I’d be firmly in camp Alcaraz for this one. There will come a time where I am probably in danger of overrating the Spaniard’s tennis but until I see something to get the alarm bells ringing, I’m all in. Alcaraz in 3
Harsh: Alcaraz looked red hot in his first round and his opponents shouldn’t be too happy facing him. Lajovic will be a good test for Alcaraz since the Serb makes you play a lot of balls. That being said, Lajovic endured a lengthy five setter while Alcaraz is younger and faster. Expect the Spaniard to power through. Alcaraz in 4
Radu Albot vs Aleksandar Vukic
Damian: Aleksandar Vukic’s game is becoming more all-rounded and he managed outsteady Lloyd Harris from the baseline in the opening round. It will help him in the Radu Albot matchup, but he’ll also likely need to risk it more. He’s fully equipped to win this, but I don’t know if he’s mentally ready for being the favorite in a Grand Slam second round yet. Vukic in 5
Jack: Aleksandar Vukic is dreaming big in Australia. Having won a couple of matches in Adelaide last week, the Aussie served well to notch the biggest win of his career against Lloyd Harris. The crowd should keep his momentum going against Radu Albot. Vukic in 4
Harsh: Tough to choose between the two. Both players had similar outings in their first round matches. The Aussie crowd would definitely be behind Vukic but Albot is a decent baseliner and returner and while Vukic is in form beating Lloyd Harris, Albot should be more consistent to get the win. Albot in 5
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Mackenzie McDonald vs Aslan Karatsev
Damian: Form clearly doesn’t matter that much with Aslan Karatsev, even after winning Sydney he can commit 107 unforced errors in a match and barely scrape through. I don’t think the Russian will play like this again and he’s been a very deadly competitor at the Australian Open in the past. Karatsev in 4
Jack: I wouldn’t say Mackenzie McDonald frustrates his opponents the same way Jaume Munar does. He does have equal rally temperament but is a little more aggressive in his point construction than the the Spaniard. I actually think this will fall in Karatsev’s favour, likely having to deal with less loopy defensive and scrappily retrieved balls than he did in his first-round. The Russian will continue his attempt to defend his semifinal points from last year. Karatsev in 4
Harsh: Karatsev would’ve hoped for a better opening match. The Russian looked tired at times perhaps after the title win in Sydney but nevertheless, Karatsev managed to find a way through. The 2021 semi-finalist now takes on McDonald who had a better opening round. Expect another five setter with McDonald clinching it due to being the fresher out of the two. McDonald in 5
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