Day 3 at the ATP 250 in Brisbane comes with more first round of matches in the main draw as herald in a New Year. As always, we’re down under to come with who we think will have their heads above water. Three of the matches on the cards today are players who are meeting for the first time. Who will come out tops?
ATP Brisbane Day 3 Predictions
Lukas Klein vs Sebastian Baez
Head–to–Head: First meeting
Lukas Klein appears to be enjoying his time here Down Under. He recorded impressive victories over hard hitters, Quentin Halys and Maxime Cressy, in the qualifiers and he definitely wouldn’t want to exit the main draw at the first time of asking.
Sebastian Baez was one of the better players of last year. At a point, he was on a 12-match winning streak before yielding to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
The Argentine is the better player but I think this will be very close. The last time Klein qualified for an ATP 250 event, he made it past the first round and I’ll be tipping him to have enough to nick a third win here.
Prediction: Klein in 3
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Tomas Machac
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
It will be a battle of namesakes in the first round here in Brisbane as qualifier Tomas Machac challenges his higher-ranked counterpart Tomas Etcheverry.
The Czech was in fantastic form last year as a 13-match unbeaten run launched him into the top 100 and he’s arrived here in Brisbane in fine form dispatching his opponents in straight sets.
Argentine, Tomas Etcheverry had a very decent 2023 season and he’ll be looking to build on his performances this year after establishing himself in the top half of the rankings.
Etcheverry is often involved in lengthy matches and I expect that this one wouldn’t be any different. However, Machac looks like the better player in form and on hard courts and should win this.
Prediction: Machac in 3
J.J Wolf vs James Duckworth
Head–to–Head: First meeting
Two big servers will take to the courts in what should be a match filled with entertainment and gumption.
While the American is ranked higher, fresher, and can beat anybody on his day, the Australian is equally capable and dangerous and more crucially a veteran of the Australian swing.
Duckworth will also have the home crowd behind him as he surges to another win here in Brisbane.
Prediction: Duckworth in 2
Jordan Thompson vs Alexander Vukic
Head–to–Head: Thompson 1 – 0 Vukic
It is quite unbelievable that these two prominent Australian tennis players have only met once in their careers with the older player having the edge.
Both had a decent 2023 season with Jordan Thompson winning a Challenger title in Busan and getting to the final of the ATP Libema Open. on the other hand, Alexander Vukic lost in two finals to Facundo Acosta in the Oeiras Challenger in Portugal as well as to Taylor Fritz in the final of the Atlanta Open.
This promises to be the most entertaining match of the first round and it will be difficult to pick a winner. However, Vukic will be more motivated to equal their head-to-head and I think he will emerge victorious in this battle of the Sydneysiders.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
