The round of 16 begins in Melbourne at the Australian Open with matches featuring Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, Kyle Edmund, and Grigor Dimitrov facing Australia’s hope Nick Kyrgios. Our panel of Yesh Ginsburg, Steen Kirby, and Brett Margolies takes you through the matches and offers their predictions.
Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman
Steen: Nadal should be able to keep Schwartzman back in the court and will hammer him enough on return to get breaks. This one should be one way traffic. Nadal in 3
Yesh: Nadal looks to be in tremendous form right now. As long as he’s playing at this level, Schwartzman won’t stand a chance. The Argentine won’t go down without a fight, though, so he might be able to steal a set. Nadal in 4
Brett: You can make the argument that Rafael Nadal is the player to beat right now. I expected him to get past Dzumhur, but not in the fashion that he did. Schwartzman is a bad matchup for Nadal as he doesn’t really do much that hurts the Spainaird. I think Nadal wins comfortably again. Nadal in 3
Marin Cilic vs. Pablo Carreno Busta
Steen: Cilic looks really good right now, PCB isn’t easy to get past but Cilic should have too much power and will be too strong on serve. Cilic in 4
Yesh: Cilic looks in great form right now, blasting through Ryan Harrison last round. Carreno Busta actually plays like a Spanish version of Harrison. Cilic should have no problem blasting through him as well. Cilic in 3
Brett: Both players are very much in form at the moment. This match can go either way, but I’ll favor Marin Cilic who is the better player on hardcourts. I think it’ll be similar to his match against Ryan Harrison, where Carreno Busta will keep it close, but Cilic will be too good in the big moments. Cilic in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Nick Kyrgios
Steen: A mouthwatering matchup, Dimitrov has had the better past 12 months but Kyrgios looks better over the last month. NK is focused, he gets up for big matches, and his serve is the best weapon in this contest. NK will rise. Kyrgios in 5
Yesh: This should be an incredible match. Dimitrov rebounded from his poor match against Mackenzie McDonald by beating Rublev in four sets. He has the talent to get by Kyrgios, but the young Aussie is playing as well as we’ve seen from him in years. Kyrgios in 4
Brett: It seems like the home Australian crowd is starting to get behind Nick Kyrgios. They haven’t had an Australian winner since Mark Edmondson in 1976, so maybe they feel it’s about time. Even though Dimitrov is in the round of 16 he’s looked vulnerable throughout the tournament, I think Kyrgios moves on to the quarterfinals. Kyrgios in 4
Andreas Seppi vs. Kyle Edmund
Steen: You have to be happy for both guys in this one, neither was favored to make the second week but they did so and now they are playing with house money. Edmund seems to have more upside in this one, and though Seppi is tricky to put away, Edmund should crack the code. Edmund in 4
Yesh: Who could have guessed that this match would be for a spot in the quarterfinals? This is a huge opportunity for Edmund, but Seppi always plays well in Melbourne. Seppi in 4
Brett: Kyle Edmund is stepping up for the Brits with Andy Murray sidelined. He’s done well so far reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career and has to like his chances against the Italian. Seppi historically plays well in Australia, but I think Kyle Edmund moves on. Edmund in 4
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