We’ll be treated to 20 men’s matches on Day 3 as the Australian Open wraps up its first round. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches. We split the day’s 20 matches between five articles. In addition to this article, the other four feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Richard Gasquet, Casper Ruud vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Holger Rune vs Yoshihito Nishioka, and Grigor Dimitrov vs Marton Fucsovics. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Jason Fernandes, and Jordan Reynolds.
Australian Open Day 3 Men’s Predictions
Cameron Norrie vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Jack:
Norrie’s been given a decent first round all things considered. Varillas has big weapons on a clay court but should be exposed on the hard courts of the Australian Open.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Jason:
Varillas will grind you down if you let him but the Brit won’t let that happen. Norrie should come out on top in most rallies and just like their meeting in Argentina last year, it’s hard to see anything but straight sets.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Jordan:
Hopefully, Norrie is fully fit for this first-round match. He had to withdraw from the quarterfinal in Auckland just a few days ago with a wrist injury. A physical ailment is likely to be the only thing that stops him from progressing. Varillas is a clay court specialist, and I struggle to see him staying the course in long rallies with Norrie in a hard court.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Giulio Zeppieri vs Dusan Lajovic
Jack:
Zeppieri is a huge hitter but there’s a definite dearth of experience on hard courts, going 2-12 against top 150 opponents on the surface in his young career. Lajovic has generally struggled at the Australian Open but I think he’ll be the more adaptable of the pair on this surface.
Prediction: Lajovic in 4
Jason:
Both men prefer the clay courts but even though this is on hard, Lajovic simply does everything better. Expect loads of long rallies with the Serbian coming out on top in a majority.
Prediction: Lajovic in 4
Jordan:
Zeppieri is playing in his first Australian Open main draw, and has never been in the Top 100. Yet, I fancy his chances here. The Italian is a big server, and the outside courts in Melbourne are playing quickly. That will give him a key edge against the experienced Lajovic, who will be under a lot of pressure to hold his own serve if Zeppieri finds his rhythm on his delivery.
Prediction: Zeppieri in 4
Arthur Fils vs Jiri Vesely
Jack:
Though his last loss came to a big lefty server, I’m confident Arthur Fils has what it takes to make a decent run here in Australia. Vesely hasn’t been particularly reliable of late anyway so the young Frenchman seems like a safe bet.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Jason:
The Frenchman is only going from strength to strength even still as a teenager. Vesely is the opposite barely ranked inside the top 300 now and coming off three back-to-back losses. The teenager shouldn’t have a problem.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Jordan:
Fils suffered a shock loss in the Auckland semifinal in his last match. He will seek to find the tennis he was showing before that setback, when he looked superb. Vesely is an experienced campaigner. But the talent and power of Fils should have too much for the Czech player, who is past his prime.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Dominik Koepfer
Jack:
Given his form, Koepfer put together an unexpectedly strong run in Canberra before the Australian Open and we know just how susceptible Zverev is to slow starts at the Slams. He does tend to eventually find a way through, however, so he’ll probably be okay in the long run against his compatriot.
Prediction: Zverev in 5
Jason:
An all-German affair with the lower of the two ranked coming off a Challenger win in Canberra. The two played twice in 2021 with Zverev winning both and with a good start to the year already beating the likes of top-tenners Tsitsipas and Hurkazcz this should be routine.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Jordan:
Koepfer is capable of being dangerous when he finds his range. He has power and could cause Zverev a few problems. But the 2020 US Open runner-up is now looking close to his best again after returning from that horrible injury he suffered at the 2022 French Open. I think Koepfer’s level is likely to be strong, but his compatriot will show his class and be too strong in all sets.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
