The men’s first round continues on Day 2 of the Australian Open. We will be treated to 28 great matches, and as always our writers here at LWOT share our thoughts on them with you. Those articles feature Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Zizou Bergs, Andy Murray vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Alex de Minaur vs Milos Raonic, Hubert Hurkacz vs Omar Jasika, Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Dominic Thiem, and Ben Shelton vs Roberto Bautista Agut. Predicting these matches are Glenys Furness, Damian Kust, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will move on to the second round in Melbourne?
Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Daniel Altmaier
Glenys:
The German has had a good start to the Australian swing. Altmaier made the quarterfinal last week in the ASB classic and the second round at the Brisbane Open the week before. The German therefore should be used to the courts. Khachanov on the other hand has not had a great start to the season going out in the first round in Hong Kong. This shouldn’t worry the Russian too much though and although it could be tricky the seed should prevail.
Prediction: Khachanov in 5
Damian:
Khachanov loves these quiet opportunities at the Slams where no one is talking about him and then he suddenly makes the semifinals. That will be hard to repeat this year, but he should be favored over Altmaier here and that’s despite the German being a tricky opponent for an opening round.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Yesh:
Karen Khachanov is a really good player who likes this surface. He’s not consistent enough to be considered among the elite yet, but he should easily go pretty deep here.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Constant Lestienne vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Glenys:
The Spaniard and Frenchman have played once before, with Davidovich Fokina taking that. Although the Frenchman has had an okay start to the season the 23rd seed should really have no problems with the lower ranked opponenent. Even at Grand Slam level where shocks happen, the Spaniard should ease through.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Damian:
Davidovich Fokina is still an improving player and it’s pretty hard to see him losing this one unless he drops his focus. Lestienne is a bit stuck at that ‘too good for Challengers, too weak for the ATP Tour’ category right now and all his variety probably won’t be as effective against someone who loves throwing in different spins himself.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Yesh:
Lestienne has his impressive moments, but he doesn’t have the top-level talent or consistency to compete at this level. Davidovich Fokina never quite jumped to elite level, but he’s still very good. Expect the unconventional Spaniard to move on.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Alejandro Tabilo vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Glenys:
The Chilean won the title last week at the ASB Classic, so will be riding high off the back of that. Tabilo will be wary of Kovacevic though, as the American has come through qualifying to be here. That will be an advantage in knowing the courts, other than that, though, the Chilean should move through.
Prediction: Tabilo in 4
Damian:
Tabilo is coming off the biggest title of his career, which might leave him with some physical and mental fatigue going into Melbourne. Even without that, they’re pretty much around the same quality on hard right now. Let’s say Kovacevic wins this one, but he’ll need his backhand block return to hold up and the slice to reset the rallies.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 5
Yesh:
Alejandro Tabilo has been very impressive in recent months. Kovacevic is also playing some of the best tennis of his career right now as well, but I think Tabilo is better.
Prediction: Tabilo in 4
Daniil Medvedev vs Terence Atmane
Glenys:
Atmane progressed through the qualifiers to make his debut in the Australian Open. The Frenchman is a relative newcomer to the circuit, turning professional in 2022. Atmane won two challenger titles last season and also got into the first round of a Masters ranking event. This is his first Grand Slam main draw so may be a nervy start. Medvedev is the third seed and playing his first event of the new season. The Russian may be a little rusty, but is the third seed so shouldn’t have any problems overcoming the qualifier.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Damian:
The French qualifier showed a different dimension to his game last week, especially being so resourceful on the defence against Nava in the final round. Here he’ll need to get back to the basics and just try to keep attacking Medvedev whatever happens. Net play can hurt the Russian with his defensive positioning, but Atmane’s unlikely to execute well enough.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Yesh:
It will be very surprising to see anyone come close to Medvedev before the later rounds. Expect the Russian to dominate this match.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
