Second round action at the Australian Open sees American Jenson Brooksby trying to upset Casper Ruud, while fellow American Taylor Fritz takes on home Australian Alexei Popyrin. We have predictions for every second-round match in Melbourne and complete tournament coverage.
Taylor Fritz vs Alexei Popyrin
Yesh Ginsburg: Fritz looks in fine form, fresh off the best season of his career. Popyrin has tons of talent, but he’s not at his top form right now. Fritz in 3
Steen Kirby: Top 10 player Fritz made the fourth round here previously and he looks set to run it back. Popyrin has huge fan support at home and is capable of streaky runs, but Fritz has the more reliable, threatening game. The American should find a way to get this done despite a hostile crowd, especially with Popyrin worn down from a five set win in round 1. Fritz in 3
Shane Black: These Melbourne courts play right into the hands of Taylor Fritz. Alexei Popyrin spent four hours and 26 minutes on-court in his round-one victory. This does not bode well for his chances against the American. Fritz should be able to move Popyrin around the court and control play from the baseline. Fritz in 3
Diego Schwartzman vs JJ Wolf
Yesh: Wolf looks in great form, while Schwartzman is still very good, but not quite at his peak. An upset wouldn’t be shocking here. Wolf in 4
Steen: JJ Wolf got past home favorite Jordan Thompson in the opening round, he finished last year in good form, while Schwartzman had a long seven match losing streak going into this tournament. He’ll be happy to see the end of that losing streak, but this match spells danger for him given his vulnerable form. Wolf looks like the better player. Wolf in 5
Shane: After suffering an injury in Auckland, it seemed as if Diego Schwartzman would not be able to compete at the Australian Open. Not only is he in the draw, but he picked up a first-round victory over Oleksii Krutykh. That said, he will have to up his level to beat JJ Wolf. The American plays a physical brand of tennis and will try to drag Schwartzman into the mud. I believe Wolf will be too much to handle for a not-100-percent Schwartzman. Wolf in 4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Tommy Paul
Yesh: Davidovich Fokina struggled with a tough opponent in his opening match. Still, he looked good enough that Tommy Paul will need to be at his best to beat him. Davidovich Fokina in 4
Steen: Both players are in good form, Paul is 2-1 to start the year, Davidovich Fokina is 3-1, they are also bunched together in the rankings. This match has the makings of a five setter, on this surface I like Davidovich Fokina’s game slightly more but either result wouldn’t be a surprise. Davidovich Fokina in 5
Shane: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina survived a five-set match against Alexander Bublik in round one. In round two, he draws a much more consistent player in American Tommy Paul. Paul is a phenomenal mover and hit 20 aces in his round one, straight-set victory. If Paul serves that way again, he should be able to take down the No. 30 seed. Paul in 4
Jenson Brooksby vs Casper Ruud
Yesh: Ruud looked beatable and uncomfortable in his opening match. That’s not a good way to look when facing Jenson Brooksby. The quirky American can trouble anyone. Brooksby in 4
Steen: Ruud won their only meeting last year on clay, he’s trying to back up his run to the final last year at the US Open, while Brooksby was a semifinalist in Auckland and had a quality opening win. Ruud is much higher ranked, but on hard courts Brooksby can compete with him. Ruud reached the fourth round last year while Brooksby has already posted his best result in Melbourne. I expect Ruud to find a way to win but he’ll have to dig deep. Ruud in 4
Shane: No. 2 seed Casper Ruud gets a tough round two draw against Jenson Brooksby. The 22-year-old American has a very tricky game full of variety. Brooksby will be able to give Ruud all he can handle, but the Norwegian’s serve will be the difference. Ruud in 5
Main Photo:
