Home fans will be shouting Aussie Aussie Aussie for Thanasi Kokkinakis and James Duckworth in round 1 of the Australian Open as play continues on Monday in Melbourne. Our panelists have predictions for every match in the opening round.
We split the rest of Monday’s matches in Melbourne between six other articles. They feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Shevchenko, Jannik Sinner vs Nicolas Jarry, Novak Djokovic vs Nishesh Basavareddy, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen, Fabio Fognini vs Grigor Dimitrov, and Nick Kyrgios vs Jacob Fearnley. Who do you think will advance to Round 2?
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Roman Safiullin
Steen Kirby: Safiullin is a player who bounces around the ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour level, Kokkinakis comes off a quarterfinal in Adelaide and was very strong on the Challenger Tour last year. Kokkinakis isn’t a young gun rising talent anymore, but he will have home support, and on this surface he can find a way to win.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Liam McBride: Kokkinakis is one of those players who just seem to be able to reach a different level in front of their home crowd. On the other end of the net, the flat-hitting Safiullin could cause some real problems, should he bring his A-game. However, the Aussie should dominate the forehand exchanges, which is often the recipe for success in tennis.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Damian Kust: Kokkinakis withdrew before the quarterfinals of his favorite event last week, but if he’s in shape he might be an unexpected player to watch at this Australian Open. Rankings have always underrated him as he’s so inconsistent, but he usually produces some great stuff on home soil. Should be enough for Safiullin, who started the season quite poorly.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Arthur Rinderknech vs Frances Tiafoe
Steen: A former quarterfinalist at the AO, with 34 tour level wins last year, Tiafoe will be favored against the 29 year old Rinderknech who is a middle of the road tour level player who only occasionally shows flashes of brilliance. This match is a great opportunity for Tiafoe to get off to a winning start.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Liam: Tiafoe spoke about taking the rest of the calendar more seriously after a heartbreaking loss to Taylor Fritz at the US Open last season. This is the first major test of that. For a man who has reached two semifinals and a quarterfinal in the last three US Open’s, there is no reason why he hasn’t made the second week of the Australian Open since 2019. Rinderknech’s extreme topspin grip will suit the American’s flat-hitting game.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Damian: The two Rinderknech performances we’ve seen so far were quite lifeless and it’s tough to see him turning the corner so quickly. Usually Tiafoe would be one of the more volatile seeds, especially considering he has just one match under his belt, but given the Frenchman’s recent level it seems like an upset won’t happen.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
James Duckworth vs Dominic Stricker
Steen: Stricker is battling back to tour level after injuries, he has shown talent but there’s nothing in his form to indicate he’s set to make a big run at this tournament. Duckworth is a former top 50 player who always fights hard at home at the Australian Open, the veteran is a warrior with five career wins at this tournament, and he should be able to make it six.
Prediction: Duckworth in 5
Liam: Stricker has shown a lot of promise at times but has yet to truly make the breakthrough. Up against a seasoned pro, he won’t find it easy. Yet, he will have enough in the tank to dispose of the volley-loving Australian.
Prediction: Stricker in 4
Damian: Last season was so rough for Stricker and other than the Basel/Stockholm two-week stretch, he never quite regained his peak level. It’s time to start winning again and this is a very nice opening draw. But it’s not like Duckworth will hate this opener either, leaving us with a tight encounter between two players quite desperate to advance. Stricker has more upside.
Prediction: Stricker in 5
Duckworth in 5
James McCabe vs Martin Landaluce
Steen: The 21 year old McCabe makes his debut in the main draw of the Australian Open, he’s a talent, and he will get a fair shot at a round 1 win against 19 year old Martin Landaluce. The Spaniard came through qualifying and had a massive 34 Challenger Tour wins last year. Landaluce probably has a slight edge, but home cooking favors McCabe.
Prediction: Landaluce in 5
Liam: Two youngsters making their Grand Slam debut; it’s a tough one to call. Landaluce impressed in qualifying, losing just one set in his three successful matches. McCabe on the other hand, has been handed a wild card but was competitive at Adelaide. The Spaniard’s extra three inches of height might prove crucial on the Melbourne hard court. Either way, this will be an interesting and tight clash.
Prediction: Landaluce in 5
Damian: Landaluce was fantastic in the first two rounds of qualifying and it seemed like he had already done the tough part. However, it was his match against Svrcina that ended up being a bit of a nightmare. This is his Grand Slam debut after all, but maybe the nerves will be easier to control now. McCabe is one of the weakest players in the draw.
Prediction: Landaluce in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
