The Australian Open second round of men’s singles finishes on Day 5. 16 matches are on the slate as players look to move into Round 3. Which players have the advantage on Day 5? As always, our writers here at LWOT share their thoughts. We split the day’s matches between this and three other articles. Those articles feature Holger Rune vs Arthur Cazaux, Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Sonego, and Alexander Zverev vs Lukas Klein. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds.
Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Hugo Grenier
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jack:
Auger-Aliassime should definitely be considered vulnerable at this tournament but he still has the potential to deliver high level matches. Grenier doesn’t look like the man to take advantage of that vulnerability, however, having defeated Muller in the previous round whilst suffering intense cramps in his legs.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4
Damian:
Grenier’s run has come completely out of nowhere, somewhat like his Madrid third round last year. Auger-Aliassime will have quite a lot of pressure on himself here to finally put away the French qualifier. He probably pulls it off, but someone playing with house money like Grenier is at this point might as well turn out more dangerous than it seems on paper.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4
Jordan:
Auger-Aliassime had one of the best matches of the first round in his five-setter against Dominic Thiem. The good news for the Canadian is Grenier also had a very long five-set battle against Alexandre Muller. Auger-Aliassime’s level has not been easy to predict for the last 12 months. However, he will prevail here with most of the level he had against Thiem, and I think Auger-Aliassime will find that.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4
Tommy Paul vs Jack Draper
Head-to-Head: Paul 0-2 Draper
Jack:
Draper’s biggest weakness has been his vulnerability to injury. It’s boiling hot in Australia and Giron took the Brit passed the three-hour mark on Monday, where Draper vomited at the end of the match due to an anxiety attack. Tommy Paul came through far more comfortably against Barrere and will be looking to match his semifinal appearance from last year. Though Draper beat Paul in Adelaide, I think the conditions and fitness favour the American.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Damian:
Draper might be running low on fuel after Adelaide and now the five-setter with Giron where he vomited on the court. If it’s going to be hot again, his chances will massively decrease. And that’s despite playing one of the matches of his career so far against Paul last week. Fitness and athleticism are the American’s strong suits.
Prediction: Paul in 5
Jordan:
Draper defeated Paul in Adelaide just a few days before the Australian Open started. But I see this ending differently. Draper did brilliantly to recover from two sets to one down against Marcos Giron, but he was exhausted at the end, vomiting at the end of the match. Even with a day’s rest, playing last year’s ultra-consistent semifinalist will require a herculean effort from Draper. Paul to take this in straight sets.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jack:
It’s easy to get carried away by Ugo Humbert’s exceedingly high peak. There’s a good reason he’s only been passed the second round of a major three times, however, as his inconsistency is often exposed over five sets. Zhang is in great form and should be there to capitalise on any dips from the Frenchman.
Prediction: Zhang in 5
Damian:
This seems pretty open with Zhang being such a dangerous player on his day and generally loving all the fast/heavy condition combinations (courts/balls here in Melbourne). Humbert was peaking not so long ago though, so this might be a very tight one as well. Let’s try Zhang as the Frenchman’s warm-up swing was a little hampered by an illness.
Prediction: Zhang in 5
Jordan:
Expect plenty of big-hitting in this one. Both players serve powerfully, and also have heavy forehands. Who can execute their style better? Zhang’s first-round against clay courter Federico Coria was his first match since mid-October. That low level of match practice could cost him against a player of Humbert’s level.
Prediction: Humbert in 4
Daniil Medvedev vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-Head: Medvedev 2-0 Ruusuvuori
Jack:
It looks like a difficult second round for Medvedev but Ruusuvuori isn’t the kind of player that causes him grief. The Finn’s serve isn’t quite good enough to do consistent damage and his massive forehand will be absorbed by the defensive powers of the world #3.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Damian:
Medvedev dropped a set to Atmane in round one, but it never felt like he was in danger as that was due to a terrible three-game patch and not the opponent pushing him. We’ll say it was some early rust in the first match of the season and assume he beats Ruusuvuori as well. The Finn has started the year well enough to take a set though.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4
Jordan:
I can see this being a case of Medvedev doing what he does to so many on hard courts. Ruusuvuori likes to play aggressively, but he will be countered by Medvedev’s unrivaled consistency on hard courts. Unforced errors and frustration will eventually come for Ruusuvuori, and a victory for the two-time Australian Open finalist as a result.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
