We’ve seen some incredible tennis on the first day of the Australian Open, and there’s much more to look forward to on Day 2. 32 men’s matches will be contested on Tuesday, and we’re predicting every single one of them. Predicting this group of matches is Jim Smith, Steen Kirby, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
Each set of predictions from us looks at four matches. That means the 32 matches will be split between eight articles. The other articles feature Alexei Popyrin vs David Goffin, Daniil Medvedev vs Vasek Pospisil, Andrey Rublev vs Yannick Hanfmann, Gilles Simon vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini vs Kevin Anderson, Lorenzo Sonego vs Sam Querrey, and Rafael Nadal vs Laslo Djere.
Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Radu Albot vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Jim:
This is a fairly disastrous draw for Radu Albot. Everything the Moldovan does well, Roberto Bautista Agut does better. Crucially, the Spaniard has a real weapon in his forehand, whilst Albot’s arsenal is rather bare.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Steen:
Albot is struggling right now. Bautista Agut should be in good shape to grind out yet another Slam win.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Yesh:
Albot is far removed from his breakout in early 2019. The Moldovan has reverted to his pre-2019 form, which does not bode well for his matchup against the strong Spaniard.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Pablo Andujar vs Quentin Halys
Jim:
Quentin Halys has not yet made the most of his considerable talent. But an impressive run through the qualifying, which culminated with a 6-3 6-4 over the veteran Robin Haase, suggests that 2021 could be a big year for the Frenchman. If he is at his best, expect him to prove too strong for Pablo Andujar, who is not the player he once was, particularly away from the clay.
Prediction: Halys in 4
Steen:
Halys is better on hard court and Andujar is struggling. This looks competitive but it feels like straight sets.
Prediction: Halys in 3
Yesh:
Halys is more talented, but he’s yet to really put it all together. Andujar has potential and he’s always somewhat consistent, but this match will be up to how Halys plays. Unfortunately, I’m not positive we can trust Halys to bring a high enough level to win the match.
Prediction: Andujar in 4
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Viktor Troicki vs Michael Mmoh
Jim:
Michael Mmoh is not a particularly flashy or exciting player, but the American does increasingly do the basics very well. That solidity should see him over the line against the talented, but erratic Viktor Troicki, whose powers have been on the wane over the last few years.
Prediction: Mmoh in 5
Steen:
A battle of qualifiers, the more experienced Troicki has a slight edge in what looks like a battle.
Prediction: Troicki in 5
Yesh:
I don’t really trust Troicki, but Mmoh doesn’t have the resume to justify safely trusting him to win either. Mmoh can keep this match on his racket, which could frustrate the Serbian. On a fast hard court, Mmoh should have more of an advantage.
Prediction: Mmoh in 4
Fabio Fognini vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Jim:
One can never be quite sure what to expect from Fabio Fognini. But he gave a reasonably good account of himself at the ATP Cup, picking up wins over Benoit Paire and Pablo Carreno Busta as Italy reached the final. The 1-6 2-6 hiding he suffered at the hands of Andrey Rublev suggests a deep run is probably beyond him in these conditions, but he should still have the beating of Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Prediction: Fognini in 4
Steen:
A decent run at the ATP Cup has Fognini primed to reach Round 2 here. Herbert can apply pressure but Fognini should have a more well rounded game.
Prediction: Fognini in 4
Yesh:
I’ve learned not to trust Fognini, especially off of clay. But the Italian is still talented, and when he wants to win there is very little that will stop him. Then again, it’s always impossible to predict if he’ll want to win any given match.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
