The third round starts on Day 5 of the Australian Open. We’ll get to see eight men’s matches on Friday to see who advances to the second week. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on all the matches. We split the day’s matches between two articles, with the other featuring Daniil Medvedev vs Sebastian Korda. Predicting today’s matches are Glenys Furness, Jakub Bobro, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Denis Shapovalov vs Hubert Hurkacz
Glenys:
Shapovalov fought through the first two rounds to get here. The Canadian reached the quarter final last year so will be eager to make the second week of the first slam of the year. Shapovalov also made the quarter final in Adelaide before finding Djokovic on the other side of the net. Shapovalov will want another go at the Serb, and will hope to get the better of the 10th seed.
Hurkacz needed a full five sets last time out to get to the third round. Sonego was a tough opponent who made the Pole work for each point. The Pole eventually overcame the Italian and will be looking forward to taking on the 20th seed.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Jakub:
Shapovalov has the pressure on him in Melbourne, defending a quarterfinal from last year. The Canadian has looked solid so far, dropping just one set in matches against Dusan Lajovic and Taro Daniel. Hurkacz has reached the third round in Melbourne for the first time in his career, beating Pedro Martinez in straights before coming back from two sets to one down against Lorenzo Sonego. The Pole leads the head-to-head 3-1 but the two have never met at a slam before. On current form, I see Shapovalov taking it.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 5
Jim:
This may well turn out to be one of the matches of the third round. Both men can be inconsistent, but have also both gone deep at a Major, and appear to be enjoying the conditions at the Australian Open. The slow court surface might just favour the Canadian though, giving him plenty of time to wind up his forehand, though he will need to return well off the backhand side.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 5
Frances Tiafoe vs Karen Khachanov
Glenys:
Tiafoe has already gone further than last year, so anything more will be a big bonus. A fairly easy time to reach the third round the American is slightly higher ranked than his third round opponent. Tiafoe will want to even up the head to head a little, as he has not won against his opponent the twice they have played so far.
Khachanov had a straight sets win in the first round, but needed four sets in the second round. The 18th seed will be confident he can beat the American, as he has done on the previous occasions. However, Khachanov should not take Tiafoe for granted.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Jakub:
After an undefeated run at the United Cup (albeit as the No. 2 men’s player), Tiafoe has looked good in Melbourne too. The American dropped a set to Daniel Altmaier in his opener but was solid against rising star Juncheng Shang in the second round. Khachanov has had a more mixed start to the season, coming into Melbourne 3-2 before wins against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Jason Kubler. The Russian has won both of their previous meetings, both in the third round at Wimbledon. I see a big battle here with Tiafoe coming out the winner.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 5
Jim:
Tiafoe is having an excellent tournament so far, backing up his excellent 2022. Will he keep that going against Khachanov? The Russian has the quality to make this a difficult day at the office for “Big Foe,” but it’s not a bad matchup for the American, with Khachanov seeming to have lost some power off the ground over the past three years or so. Expect Tiafoe to have the edge.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Cameron Norrie vs Jiri Lehecka
Glenys:
Ok, I’ll do my best to be an unbiased Brit here (tricky I know lol). Norrie eased through his first round match, but the second round was a bit of a battle. Norrie had to fight back in the third set as he was a break down quickly. The Brit got the set back to a tiebreak, and then dominated the breaker. Finally securing a break in the final set that kept him ahead the Brit had a late finish on Wednesday but should be able to recover well.
Lehecka took out Coric in the first round, which was a big scalp for the Czech. Straight sets was certainly unexpected against the 21st seed. Lehecka needed four sets against American Eubanks and will have grown in confidence, having already dispatched one seed. I don’t think this will be going his way though
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Jakub:
Rematch from the second round in Auckland from last week, where Lehecka pushed Norrie to three sets before the Brit went on to reach the final. Norrie has looked solid in the first two rounds, beating Luca Van Assche and Constant Lestienne, now 8-1 on the year. Lehecka upset Borna Coric in straight sets in his Melbourne opener and followed it up with a win over Christopher Eubanks. This will be a good test for the Czech talent but I see Norrie holding it down this time.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
Jim:
In some respects, this would be a statement win for both, albeit more so for Lehecka. The Czech has impressed so far at the Australian Open, scoring comfortable wins over Borna Coric and the big-serving Christopher Eubanks. Norrie, however, will present a rather sterner challenge. Lehecka, if he plays his very best tennis, has enough to win this match, but Norrie looks the likelier victor.
Prediction: Norrie in 5
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tallon Griekspoor
Glenys:
Tsitsipas has only needed six sets to make the third round. Although straight sets, the first round match was tough. The Greek followed this up with an easy straight sets win against my favorite Australian (well he has a cool name) Rinky Hijikata. Tsitsipas reached the semifinal last year so wants to go at least one better and get to the final and of course win the event.
Griekspoor has also progressed through to this stage with two straight set wins. The Dutchman will be looking forward to a match up against the third seed. Griekspoor has nothing to lose and can come out swinging in an effort to best the third seed
Prediction Griekspoor in 5
Jakub:
After a strong United Cup campaign, Tsitsipas continues to be undefeated in 2023. The Greek is now 6-0 after straight-set wins over Quentin Halys and Rinky Hijikata. Tsitsipas has lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals in both 2021 and 2022. That match-up might be on the cards again with Rafael Nadal out of the picture. Griekspoor is also enjoying a very strong start to the year, also 6-0 with the Pune title under his belt. The Dutchman defeated Pavel Kotov and Botic Van De Zandschulp in straight sets so far in Melbourne. Griekspoor is in some great form but Tsitsipas should be winning here.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Jim:
Tsitsipas did not look entirely convincing in the first round, but managed to get past Quentin Halys without dropping a set. He looked more the part against Rinky Hijikata, dismantling the Australian for the loss of only five games. Griekspoor will present more of a challenge than either Halys or Hijikata, but Tsitsipas has a good record in Melbourne. He should have enough to get past the in-form Dutchman.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Main Photo from Getty.
