ATP Tour veteran Richard Gasquet begins his Australian Open campaign against Ugo Humbert on day 2 of the tournament after winning an ATP title last week. We have predictions for every day 2 match at the tournament and complete coverage of the first Grand Slam of the season.
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Pedro Cachin
Damian Kust: Cachin improved his hard-court game a lot last year, but this is a far tougher draw than what he had at the US Open. Carreno Busta ought to be pretty comfortable here, even if he might have some issues finding his rhythm at first. Carreno Busta in 4
Yesh Ginsburg: Cachin had a miracle run at last year’s US Open, but it’s hard to see him matching it. Unfortunately for him, Carreno Busta is just better. Carreno Busta in 4
Glenys Furness: Carreno Busta is the 14th seed at the Australian Open. The Spaniard’s season did not get off to the best start, as in Adelaide 2 he was the second seed and lost in the second round. The Spaniard will be looking to better his showing at this Grand Slam, which was the fourth round. With points dropping off the seed will want to at least equal that.
Cachin has made the main draw for the first time. In only his second Australian Open the Argentine will be considered the underdog. Cachin has played in the build up to the slam, and although losing in the first round of lead up events, has the match practice under his belt. Carreno Busta in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Ugo Humbert
Damian: Gasquet coming off a title in Auckland might not exactly be improving his chances. It’s a tight matchup at the moment and Humbert being fresher (plus a lot younger) could make a hell of a difference. Still, no one can take away that impressive feat from the veteran. Humbert in 4
Yesh: Gasquet is not done yet, and Humbert hasn’t been the most consistent recently. I don’t think the elder Frenchman can go deep at a Slam anymore, but he can win a round or two. Gasquet in 4
Glenys: Gasquet has had a good build up to the slam. The Frenchman made the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland *note for editor – put in if he wins or loses please*. Following on from that straight back to Australia for the first round. The Frenchman has never been beyond the fourth round at the first slam of the year. Last year Gasquet went out in the second round.
Humbert is playing in his fifth Australian Open. The Frenchman has never gone beyond the second round here and last year lost in the first round. One of these Frenchmen will make the second round, Humbert will want it to be him due to points loss that is due to come. Gasquet in 4
Maxime Cressy vs Albert Ramos Vinolas
Damian: Cressy should be taking this on a fast hard court, but his playstyle will never really be consistent. Ramos-Vinolas could actually come close here, knowing his extremely high tennis IQ and the ability to keep the ball low over the net to make life hard for the serve-and-volleyer. Cressy in 5
Yesh: Cressy is fun, quirky, and quite efficient in longer matches. His serve is brutal to deal with, and I don’t think Ramos-Vinolas is consistent enough on return to not get frustrated. Cressy in 4
Glenys: Cressy played Adelaide 1 and lost to Kokkinakis in straight sets. The American will want to improve quickly, as Cressy made the fourth round last year. That was the furthest he had been in any of the Grand Slams.
Ramos Vinolas was pushed to three sets in Adelaide 2, before finally losing in the first round, not the most ideal of preparations. The Spaniard only made the first round last year so will be desperate to improve on this. The Spaniard and American have never played before so this will be an interesting match Ramos Vinolas in 5
Filip Krajinovic vs Holger Rune
Damian: Krajinovic is not the constant threat to top players he was a few years ago, but Rune is under a bit of a question mark after losing his only match this year so far. Talent-wise it’s not even close, but the Dane will probably take a moment before he finds his groove. Rune in 4
Yesh: Rune is ready for a serious breakout run at some point soon, Krajinovic is talented and shows it one or two matches at a time, but can never seem to really put it together. Rune in 4
Glenys: Krajinovic has had an up and down build up. As the sixth seed in the Maharashtra Open the Serbian made the quarter final. Having gone out in the first round last year Krajinovic will be hoping to go further and match or better his third round finish here.
Rune is the fifth seed. The Dane lost in the first round in Adelaide 1, Rune is playing only his second Australian Open and will look to go better than last year where he lost in the first round. Rune has been improving all last season, and at 19 years old is a prospect for the future. Rune in 3
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