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, Damian Kust, 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, Fabio Fognini vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Gilles Simon vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini vs Kevin Anderson, Andrey Rublev vs Yannick Hanfmann, and Rafael Nadal vs Laslo Djere.
Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Aleksandar Vukic
Jim:
Karen Khachanov has not yet lived up to his potential, with one Grand Slam quarterfinal a poor return for a player of his ability. But the real tests for the Russian will come down the line. Aleksandar Vukic did well to claim his first ATP win last week, but Khachanov is a cut above the sort of opposition he is used to facing.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Yesh:
Khachanov has a ton of potential but seemed to slowly regress the past few years. He’s just so close to breaking out, though, and is more than talented and consistent enough to get through Vukic without trouble.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Damian:
Aleksandar Vukic can certainly be very dangerous to Karen Khachanov, especially as the Russian never made it to the fourth round at this Slam. He’s also never lost in the first one, though, and was looking quite well at the Great Ocean Road Open. Potentially an upset alert but only if Khachanov is far from his best.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Li Tu vs Feliciano Lopez
Jim:
It is not often that a player without a ranking is offered a wild card, which makes Li Tu’s story immediately memorable. But for all his success in the recent UTR events, playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam is a different proposition entirely. Expect the experienced Feliciano Lopez to demonstrate why that’s the case.
Prediction: Lopez in 4
Yesh:
Tu is the kind of story you find in movies. He’s essentially a club player who has been so impressive that he earned a shot at the Australian Open. In reality, though, there’s a reason such players aren’t professionals, and Tu is about to get a major lesson in that. Even against a struggling professional in the twilight of his career, it won’t be close to enough.
Prediction: Lopez in 3
Damian:
Li Tu had an amazing win/loss record in UTR events but couldn’t defeat Pedro Sousa in Melbourne. He would not have much of a chance against most players in the draw but Feliciano Lopez’s weak baseline game could allow him an opening. I’ll take the Spaniard to make his experience an advantage and end the fairytale story in a tough battle.
Prediction: Lopez in 5
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Filip Krajinovic vs Robin Haase
Jim:
Robin Haase has had a fine career, but the Dutchman seems to have lost his way lately and secured his place in the main draw at the Australian Open only as a lucky loser. The solid if not spectacular Filip Krajinovic should be able to account for his man.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
Yesh:
Krajinovic might have had injuries and circumstances derail him, as he was rising in late 2017 when he reached the final of the Paris Masters. Still, he’s a strong player who should have little trouble with Robin Haase.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
Damian:
Filip Krajinovic only participated in one doubles rubber at the ATP Cup, but looked alright in an exhibition set against Jannik Sinner in Adelaide. At this stage of his career, it’s a great effort from Robin Haase to get to the main draw here. It’s an extremely tough ask for him to eliminate such a solid competitor as Krajinovic, though.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
Lorenzo Sonego vs Sam Querrey
Jim:
At his very best, this is a match Sam Querrey would win comfortably. Unfortunately for the American, he remains plagued by the same inconsistencies that have cost him success throughout his career. Nonetheless, his serve and forehand combination should give him the edge over the consistent but not particularly powerful Lorenzo Sonego.
Prediction: Querrey in 4
Yesh:
Querrey plays his best in Slams, but we haven’t seen his best in a few years. Still, on a quick hard court he shouldn’t have much trouble with Sonego.
Prediction: Querrey in 3
Damian:
How much of a worry should Lorenzo Sonego’s loss to Jason Kubler be? With barely any match practice coming into this week, it could prove important. Sam Querrey has been very erratic since the start of the year but almost always has his serve and forehand to rely on. This could really go both ways.
Prediction: Querrey in 5
Main Photo from Getty.
