The Australian Open third round of men’s singles begins on Day 6. Eight matches are on the slate as players look to move into the Round of 16. Which players have the advantage on Day 6? As always, our writers here at LWOT share their thoughts. We split the day’s matches between this and one other article featuring Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Damian Kust, and Andreas Pelekis.
Australian Open Day 6 Men’s Predictions
Andrey Rublev vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-Head: Rublev 2-0 Korda
Jack:
Assuming Korda has settled into the conditions here in Melbourne, this should be a tough match. I still fancy the determination of Rublev to pull him through here though—even though they haven’t all been easy, he’s 17-1 since the start of 2023 against lower ranked players in Grand Slam matches.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Damian:
It was nice for Korda that he managed to clean up his act after a shaky performance against Vit Kopriva in round one. The question is whether he can keep delivering and his level has been fluctuating so much of late. That makes Rublev the likely favorite given the Russian is all about that stupidly high base level he brings in all the time.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Andreas:
Rublev did well to avoid a long match against Christopher Eubanks last round, especially after a fifth-set tiebreak victory over Seyboth Wild in the first round. Korda is a dangerous matchup for the Russian, and in round two, he hit nearly 50 winners in just a two-hour match. Rublev wins this in a close match, with Korda dictating play early in the match and faltering towards the end.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Taylor Fritz vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jack:
Marozsan has looked composed in bulldozing the ball passed his first two opponents. There’s a measuredness coupled with the size of his game that should ring alarm bells for Taylor Fritz. The American’s results haven’t been great at the Slams—any lack of confidence and Marozsan could pounce.
Prediction: Marozsan in 4
Damian:
Fritz seems to have recovered from his issues of the opening round as he crushed Hugo Gaston on Wednesday. He’s still not the strongest of favorites in general and Marozsan can be a deadly opponent on his day. The Hungarian will rush Fritz’s groundstrokes and test if the athleticism holds up with all the reactive shots he’ll likely have to come up with.
Prediction: Marozsan in 5
Andreas:
Marozsan claimed his second win over a Grand Slam champion, against 2014 US Open winner Marin Cilic in round one. He then followed that up with a win over 24th seed Cerundolo and has a consistent game that could trouble Fritz. Fritz only lost four games against Hugo Gaston in the second round. As long as the American serves well, he should be able to push Marozsan back and claim the win.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Alex de Minaur vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jack:
This isn’t a great match-up for Cobolli’s counterpunching nature and De Minaur is playing about as well as his game could possibly allow. Backed by the home crowd, the Aussie could take this one without a hitch.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Damian:
Cobolli made a massive hard-court leap recently and was flying in the first couple of rounds. It seems like this matchup is a little less pleasant for him as he’ll have to do most of the dictating and won’t be able to turn defense into offense. It might end up looking similar to de Minaur’s second round with Arnaldi, hopefully with fewer errors.
Prediction: De Minaur in 4
Andreas:
The Aussie No. 1 is playing great tennis this week, with a looming showdown against Rublev in round four. Cobolli stunned Nicolas Jarry in the first round, and he’s played far more tennis than De Minaur, especially having to qualify. With the home crowd behind him, De Minaur cruises once again.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-Head: Sinner 1-0 Baez
Jack:
Without an effective serve, Sebastian Baez is going to be brutally exposed to the phenomenal hitting powers of Jannik Sinner. The Italian’s “slow start” against Van De Zandschulp didn’t see him drop a set and he made up for it by blowing De Jong off the court. Winning a set will be difficult for Baez.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Damian:
Sinner was in demolition mode against Jesper de Jong and it’s hard to expect anything else here. With how his draw is shaping up at the moment, the Italian would be disappointed not to make the semifinals. It’s going to take a really special effort to stop him and Baez on a hard court just doesn’t have that sort of upside.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Andreas:
Baez’s third-round appearance here is his second overall appearance in a Grand Slam, and he’s played well as of now. But, Sinner seems on a mission this week, overwhelming opponents with his power and looking to reach the later stages of the tournament. The Italian shouldn’t be troubled by Baez’s game.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
