After an exciting start to the Australian Open, the entertainment is set to continue on day three with 16 second-round matches on the slate in Melbourne. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Rafael Nadal vs Mackenzie McDonald, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Rinky Hijikata and Daniil Medvedev vs John Millman. But who will secure their spot in the third round?
Australian Open Day 3 Men’s Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Shang Juncheng
Jim: Frances Tiafoe looks set for a big tournament. He likes these conditions and is coming off the best season of his career. Shang Juncheng had a solid qualifying campaign and impressed in his four-set win over Oscar Otte in the first round, but Tiafoe is a huge step in the quality of opposition.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Damian: Shang continues to show he suddenly went up not one, but two gears during the off-season. It probably won’t result in a win over Tiafoe, although it wouldn’t be a shock to see him keep it tight, especially as the American got himself into plenty of unnecessary trouble vs Altmaier.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Jack: Shang winning his first Grand Slam main draw match at only 17 years old might sound like the norm in the era of Carlos Alcaraz, in reality, it’s far from it. It’s still early days though – Tiafoe will be tested but should come through a close battle.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
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Taro Daniel vs Denis Shapovalov
Jim: Denis Shapovalov got the better of Dusan Lajovic in the first round in a match that was high on style points but probably does not say a great deal about his chances of a deep run in Melbourne. Beating Taro Daniel would not make that much of a statement in that regard either, but for a player not exactly renowned for his consistency, it would be a start.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
Damian: Shapovalov dropped a set to Lajovic and will need to be slightly cleaner against Daniel, who showcased some great defensive abilities vs Escobedo. The higher upside of the Canadian should be enough, but it doesn’t have to be that easy if the opponent can serve at his very best level.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
Jack: Never ever back Shapovalov in straight sets. Even saying he played well against Lajovic out loud feels like a jinx. Nevertheless, Shapovalov should find his best offence consistently enough to get through Daniel.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
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Jannik Sinner vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Jim: Jannik Sinner made light work of Kyle Edmund in the first round, with the Briton still a long way short of full match fitness. Tomas Martin Etcheverry should present more of a challenge, but it would still be something of a surprise to see the hard-hitting Italian drop a set here.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Damian: Etcheverry is improving on hard courts and his heavy forehand can become a real weapon on this surface as well. The movement isn’t really there yet though and he could get more out of his serve. In longer baseline rallies on this surface, Sinner should be outplaying him somewhat comfortably.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Jack: Etcheverry has done well to come through his first round against Barrere but Sinner is a completely different kettle of fish. If Sinner is unhampered by injury (and his first match against Edmund would suggest so), there shouldn’t be much drama.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
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Cameron Norrie vs Corentin Lestienne
Jim: Lestienne has been playing some solid tennis lately without a great deal of reward. That is set to continue here with Cameron Norrie a similar, but rather more accomplished, profile of player. Ultimately, Lestienne just does not do enough better than Norrie to see a realistic path to victory for the Frenchman.
Damian: It looks like Lestienne’s shoulder injury has healed up now as he was serving at his usual speeds in the opening round with Monteiro. The rallies should be entertaining, but it’s also hard not to see Norrie eventually grinding him down. The longer it goes, the more it will favor the Brit as well.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
Jack: Norrie won’t come into this match cold as he was forced to raise his level against Luca Van Assche. Lestienne plays a tricky game himself but Norrie is the tour’s master of changing/taking on different ball spins and heights. A bad match-up for the Frenchman.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
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