The talents of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jack Draper will be on display on day 2 of the Australian Open. Our panelists also have predictions for every Round 1 match from the land Down Under.
We split the rest of Monday’s matches in Melbourne between six other articles. They feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Shevchenko, Jannik Sinner vs Nicolas Jarry, Novak Djokovic vs Nishesh Basavareddy, Fabio Fognini vs Grigor Dimitrov, Arthur Rinderknech vs Frances Tiafoe, and Nick Kyrgios vs Jacob Fearnley. Who do you think will advance to Round 2?
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen
Steen Kirby: Michelsen reached the quarterfinals in Auckland and is at a career high ranking, the 20 year old won 36 matches last year and is a serious threat to Tsitsipas, Tsitsipas is a former AO finalist and won 43 tour level matches last year, he should be able to battle his way through this match, but it’s one of the best of the first round.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Yesh Ginsburg: It’s a bit hard to trust Tsitsipas nowadays, but the time is now for him to turn his game around. His talent is overwhelming, and I think he’ll be able to hit Michelsen off the court. If Plan A isn’t enough to beat Michelsen down, then expect an upset.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Damian Kust: Michelsen beat Tsitsipas in Asia last year and this is not an easy opener for the 2023 runner-up. On top of that, the Greek has been more or less at a 50% win rate on hard courts for the past year or so. Everybody knows the blueprint on how to play him and they’re not afraid to use it. Maybe he fights through somehow, but it’s not a given at all.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Christopher O’Connell vs Tommy Paul
Steen: The Adelaide semifinalist Paul is at a career high ranking after another 40+ win season last year. A former semifinalist, Paul is a potential dark horse to reach the final and is one of the best players on tour right now. O’Connell will have home support but is still a big underdog. in this matchup.
Preditcion: Paul in 3
Yesh: Tommy Paul always surprises me. I don’t know what makes him so good, but he just outworks almost everyone. I’m coming to expect deep runs from him at bigger tournaments, and O’Connell doesn’t have enough to hurt him.
Preditcion: Paul in 3
Damian: Paul looks like a solid contender to go pretty deep here, just needs to play at a high intensity and not have one of these error-heavy forehand days. O’Connell can definitely push him, but it’s one of these matches where the best-of-five format more or less makes the possibility of an upset far less of an option.
Preditcion: Paul in 4
Marcos Giron vs Yannick Hanfmann
Steen: Hanfmann put together a solid season last year, Giron was a quarterfinalist in Adelaide and is looking for his first win at the Australian Open at 31 years old. Giron’s form is slightly better and he should be favored in this matchup.
Prediction: Giron in 4
Yesh: Giron is quietly becoming a strong player, and he always brings his best at the biggest events. I expect the American to move through without too much trouble here.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Damian: Giron’s development over the last few years has turned him into a player dangerous for most of the main tour. He’s definitely a better hard-courter than Hanfmann, but it’s not like the German doesn’t have the weapons to succeed on courts like this. It might get topsy-turvy, even if the favorite is clear.
Prediction: Giron in 4
Jack Draper vs Mario Navone
Steen: At a career high ranking of #15, Draper won 38 matches last year and is looking to make a splash this Australian Open. Navone is a career clay courter, he is ranked in the top 50 but on this surface looks to be well below Draper’s level.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Yesh: This match will entirely be on Draper’s health. If the Brit is at 90% of better, he wins easily. If not, though, then anything could happen.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Damian: Draper had to miss the United Cup with a small injury issue, but it seems like everything is fine based on his practice sets in Melbourne this week. Navone is slowly improving on hard courts but not fast enough to trouble an opponent like this. When they played in Queen’s, he was barely winning points on return.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
