Quarterfinal spots will be the reward for the 16 men left in the ATP Adelaide International draw. Among them is former champion and hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis who is one of four Australians still standing. Will he make it to the last eight? We predict all second-round matches with four of those picks in a separate article.
ATP Adelaide Day 3 Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 1-1 O’Connell
O’Connell crushed Kecmanovic 6-1 6-1 in their most recent meeting in Belgrade. How the Serbian would love to get revenge in O’Connell’s backyard. He earned a much-needed straight-sets win over Alexander Bublik on Tuesday. O’Connell, for his part, ousted Arthur Rinderknech in two tight sets. This should be a lot closer than what they served up two months ago with the Australian’s scrappy but often tricky game taking him to the last eight.
Prediction: O’Connell in 3
Li Tu vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bonzi appeared set to make that Top 20 leap three seasons ago but for a serious wrist injury. He’s healthy again and is coming off a resurgent 2024 where he lifted four titles, including his first at the Tour level. Maybe he’ll finally realize that Top 20 ambition this year and he’s not stopped winning here right from qualifying. Tu’s win over Duckworth is a major shock, so he is still a heavy underdog to back it up given his overall lack of experience at the top level.
Prediction: Bonzi in 2
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: Nakashima 2-0 Hijikata
Nakashima needed to go the distance to dispatch Yannick Hanfmann in his opener. With the Australian Open just around, results might take precedence over performances to retain confidence. So, Nakashima will probably be delighted to get his season off and running.
Hijikata made the most of his lucky loser entry. He thrashed former top 10 player David Goffin 6-1 6-2 to pick his first career win in Adelaide. Despite the obvious gulf in ranking, Hijikata has impressed me the most so far. He’s looked much sharper.
Prediction: Hijikata in 3
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: first meeting
With a handful of Australians exiting the tournament on Tuesday, Kokkinakis was not among them. The home wild card upset Yoshihito Nishioka in a late-night thriller. Etcheverry held Tristan Schoolkate by saving five set points en route to a 7-6 6-3 victory and improved to 2-1 for the season. With a partisan crowd cheering for Kokkinakis, there is no better place for him to perform.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
