Tennis fans are in for a treat, as Day 3 of the ATP Brisbane International promises exciting tennis all day long. Novak Djokovic is participating in this event for the first time since 2009, making it a must-watch. As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Brisbane Day 3 Predictions
Jakub Mensik vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Jakub Mensik went winless in the Next Gen Finals but has already shown his immense talent in 2024. Mensik began the 2024 season ranked well outside the top 100 but finished in the top fifty. With his game and talent, he will continue to improve, and a successful week in Brisbane will benefit him at the Australian Open. Mikhail Kukushkin played two solid matches in qualifiers and can always be tricky on hard courts. However, Kukushkin has an awful record at this event, and Mensik should edge this out.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Sebastian Korda vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Sebastian Korda had a consistent 2024 season and won his second ATP title. The expectations are always higher with Korda because of the talent he possesses. This season won’t be any different, and the initial tournaments will help determine where he is headed. Arthur Cazaux is another promising player from France who has the potential to be a top-20 player in the future. Cazaux made a great start in 2024 and will look to do the same in 2025. But beating Korda in the first match might be too big of a task for the Frenchman.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Gael Monfils vs Nishesh Basavareddy
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Gael Monfils will start his 22nd season on the tour and is still going strong. Monfils had many match wins in 2024 but couldn’t get his hands on a title. The Frenchman’s only appearance at the Brisbane International was in 2010, when he reached the semifinals. Monfils will play against an opponent half his age in the first round.
Nishesh Basavareddy made huge leaps forward in 2024, and playing at the Next Gen Finals would have been great for him. Going deep into Challenger tournaments practically every week must have given him a lot of confidence, and he can now compete against the world’s best players. Basavareddy has a good return, but the serve is not yet at the level to beat a player like Monfils.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Novak Djokovic will be hungry to win the Australian Open once again and will treat this week as the perfect warm-up. Djokovic should be fresh, and he has stated that he wants to play more and get higher in the rankings this season. He has a tough draw this week, but Hijikata shouldn’t pose much of a problem if Djokovic plays well. I am going with a straight sets win for the Serbian superstar.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
