Australia’s own Rinky Hijikata and American Frances Tiafoe are in action on day 1 of the Australian Open in Melbourne. We have predictions for every day 1 match at the tournament including Rafael Nadal’s opening test against Jack Draper.
Frances Tiafoe vs Daniel Altmaier
Shane Black: Frances Tiafoe always seems to play his best tennis on the biggest stages. He looked dominant in the United Cup and should carry that momentum into the Australian Open. Tiafoe in 4
Damian Kust: Tiafoe seems like a very legitimate dark horse contender this year and it will take a hell of a performance to stop him. Altmaier can sometimes be a threat on a hard court, especially if he’s serving well, but the longer format should help the American should he run into any trouble. Tiafoe in 4
Jakub Bobro: Altmaier has had a couple of decent results on hard in the past but really the German will likely end up an easy draw for Tiafoe. The American has never lost in the main draw in Melbourne as a favorite and after going undefeated at the United Cup, he will be one. Tiafoe in 3
Jaume Munar vs Dalibor Svrcina
Shane: Jaume Munar is 1-4 in his career in main draw Australian Open matches. I believe he is going to struggle against Dalibor Svrcina. The 20-year-old ran through qualifying with a controlled aggression that perfectly suits the slick courts of Melbourne. I believe he will put Munar on his back foot and win this match. Svrcina in 4
Damian: Svrcina provided one of the biggest upsets of the qualifying event, giving the in-form Leandro
Riedi just four games with some outrageous defense. This match should feature plenty of breathtaking long rallies but ultimately, the skillset required from the Czech youngster will be very different from what he has needed so far, his court coverage won’t be enough here. Munar in 4
Jakub: Munar enters the Australian Open with a four-match losing streak, failing to beat Tallon Griekspoor and Laslo Djere this season. Svrcina emerged as a bit of a surprise qualifier, though the 20-year-old took out Paul Jubb and saw off a fatigued Leandro Riedi. If Svrcina manages to step up to the occasion of his slam main draw debut, the match could be interesting. A Munar victory is the more likely outcome though. Munar in 4
Karen Khachanov vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Shane: Karen Khachanov has never been knocked out of the first round in Melbourne. I do not believe he breaks that trend here. Khachanov, who is 3-2 on the young season, should be able to push Bernabe Zapata Miralles around the court. Khachanov in 4
Damian: Zapata Miralles has struggled a bit since breaking through to the main tour, not really getting the results he had been expected to. Against Khachanov on a quicker hard court, his chances of making the upset don’t look that great. He would probably need to play his best match in months. Khachanov in 4
Jakub: Khachanov has reached the third round in Melbourne every year since 2019. The Russian has the potential to breakthrough further but will likely come up against Tiafoe. Zapata Miralles comes into the Australian Open having won just ten games in his first two matches this season. The Spaniard should not be too much of a threat for Khachanov. Khachanov in 4
Yannick Hanfmann vs Rinky Hijikata
Shane: Two former US college players are set to square off for the first time. I like Hijikata’s game and believe the Aussie crowd will help push him to the finish line. Hijikata in 5
Damian: Hanfmann had some brilliant moments in the qualifying and clearly, he likes the conditions in Australia, having made the second round (also as a qualifier) last year. When he’s on, the German should have the ability to overpower Hijikata, who’s still a fair bit below the ATP Tour level. Hanfmann in 4
Jakub: Hanfmann’s hard court play has improved as of late but the German also had the help of an easier section. It only got easier as his first-round opponent Maximilian Marterer suffered an injury and retired from their match after the first set. Hanfmann then beat Facundo Diaz Acosta and Peter Gojowczyk to earn his spot in the main draw. Hijikata has had a solid start to 2023 after a sub .500 season on the Challenger Tour last year. The Australian wild card beat out Gregoire Barrere and James Duckworth to qualify in Adelaide before he took a set off Denis Shapovalov in the main draw. This match has the feel of an inconsistent back-and-forth five-set battle and I believe Hijikata will come out on top. Hijikata in 5
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