The four remaining second-round matches at the ATP Brisbane International will be contested on Thursday to determine the second batch of quarterfinalists. Top seed Novak Djokovic will play fellow veteran Gael Monfils, seeking a remarkable 20th straight win in their series. Who will progress?
ATP Brisbane Day 5 Predictions
Jakub Mensik vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Mensik 2-0 Lajovic
Mensik’s quick ascent at the ATP level is showing no signs of slowing down. He underperformed at the NextGen ATP Finals but played himself into form in his Brisbane opener against a tricky qualifier in Mikhail Kukushkin. It will be another tricenarian awaiting in the last 16. Lajovic earned a spot in the main draw as a lucky loser and took his chance by ousting Arthur Cazaux. However, the Serbian is clearly past his peak. Moreover, he’s lost his two meetings against the rising Czech youngster.
Prediction: Mensik in 2
Reilly Opelka vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Opelka’s first match of the 2025 season was a success. A win is obviously huge for confidence, but for Opelka, getting through that straight-sets win over Agustin Gomez unscathed and in good health is even more important. Arnaldi, for his part, upset Alexei Popyrin on home turf. He limited the Australian to just five aces in the contest and broke his serve three times. That serves as a great rehearsal before facing Opelka. Should Arnaldi turn his defense to offense rapidly, I reckon he’ll have a similar breakthrough.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: Mpetschi Perricard 1-0 Tiafoe
This is only Mpetshi Perricard’s second season on the ATP Tour and he gave a thorough demonstration of his serving capabilities. Some fans have pronounced that he’s right up there in the Top 10 list of the greatest servers of all time after hammering 36 aces past Nick Kyrgios in three tie-break sets. Tiafoe understands the magnitude of his challenge. He lost narrowly to the Frenchman in Paris-Bercy last season after watching 49 winners (including 28 aces) fly past him. That effortless explosion of power on serve makes Mpetshi Perricard a slight favorite.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Djokovic 19-0 Monfils
Despite winning the Australian Open a record 10 times, Djokovic was yet to win in Brisbane. But that all changed when he defeated Rinky Hijikata on New Year’s Eve. The former World No. 1 has a perfect record against Monfils, defeating him 19 times without reply. The Frenchman must hope the 20th time is the lucky charm. However, after Djokovic’s doubles defeat on Wednesday, he is bound to go deep in singles.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
