It should be an exciting seventh day at Melbourne Park with eight third round matches on the slate. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Novak Djokovic vs Botic van de Zandschulp, but who will still be standing at the Australian Open come the round of 16?
Australian Open Day 7 Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Eliot Spizzirri
Ateet: The defending champion was in cruise-control once again as he easily defeated James Duckworth, hitting a career-best 18 aces. Eliot Spizzirri has had a great run so far, but he will need a miracle to beat the best hard-court player in the world.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Yesh: It’s been a fun week for Eliot Spizzirri, but the party ends against the inexorable Italian. Sinner should have far too much for the former college star.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Andreas: Is anyone stopping Sinner? The two-time defending Australian Open champion cruised in his second round match, and Spizzirri might be a bit inexperienced for the big show courts at the Australian Open. The American has a big game and brings energy to the court, but it probably won’t be enough to push the world #2.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Cizu: Sinner looks like a man in a hurry. He’s hardly broken a sweat in this tournament, and he’ll be looking to keep it that way. It’s hard to see how Spizzirri can hurt him.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot
Ateet: A stern test against Ugo Humbert in the opening round has made Shelton more focused, which is right where he wants to be. Valentin Vacherot will be another tough matchup for the American, but I like what I am seeing from him, and he should win this in four sets if not three.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Yesh: Valentin Vacherot is proving that his Shanghai Masters title wasn’t a complete fluke, but he’s nowhere near that level anymore. It’s too bad, because against Shelton he’ll need it.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Andreas: Similar to Sinner, no one has been able to touch Shelton’s powerful serve. Vacherot is a dangerous player on tour, who stunned fans at the end of the 2025 season, but rising to the occasion in a new best-of-five format will provide Vacherot a whole new challenge. Look for Shelton’s serve to carry him into the second week.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Cizu: Shelton is at a point where making the second week at these Grand Slam events now feels expected. Vacherot has certainly had an interesting last few months, powering up the rankings, and will try to make this interesting. However, this still feels like new territory for him, unlike Shelton. Expect Shelton to power his way through (literally).
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Stan Wawrinka vs Taylor Fritz
Ateet: Stan Wawrinka came back from a set down to defeat Arthur Gea in a thrilling five-setter. With this win, he becomes the oldest player since Ken Rosewall to reach the third round of a Slam. Wawrinka has shown some great tennis this season, but all these long matches won’t help him against a player of Taylor Fritz’s calibre. Wawrinka might steal a set on pure adrenaline, but Fritz should win this.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Yesh: Is this the end of Stan Wawrinka’s Australian Open career? I say yes. Fritz, assuming he’s healthy, is too good for this version of Wawrinka to really stick with over five sets.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Andreas: All eyes are going to be on Wawrinka in this match. The Swiss has picked up some big wins in 2026, but beating Fritz would easily be his biggest victory in quite some time. Fritz, however, has been on the court far less compared to the veteran at this tournament. I can’t see Wawrinka holding up in another best-of-five thriller, unless the Swiss can get off to an aggressive and fast start. Fritz, otherwise, may wear the 2014 champion down.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Cizu: The aging Wawrinka has done well to make it this far. Fritz has gone about his business quietly, having himself struggled for form. His first two opponents, however, are players you would expect him to beat. The crowd will be firmly cheering on the veteran Wawrinka, but even then, especially after playing a lengthy second-round match, it still feels like the end of the road for the former champion.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Tomas Machac
Ateet: Lorenzo Musetti wasn’t in the mood to give any freebies to his friend and compatriot Lorenzo Sonego and was ruthless in the win. Tomas Machac will play a one-handed backhand on the opposite side of the net for the third match in a row, but this would be his toughest test by far. This has the potential to be one of the best third-round matches, and I am backing the Italian.
Prediction: Musetti in 5
Yesh: Musetti doesn’t quite look like a player ready to win Grand Slams. He is better than Machac, though, even though the Czech seems to be over his recent slump.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Andreas: Machac battled his way to a win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round, and crushed Musetti in their only meeting in 2024. While Musetti looked a lot better in his second round win over Lorenzo Sonego, I’m picking the upset. Machac, riding a seven-match win streak, has a strong forehand and performs his best when healthy. Musetti was a bit shaky in his first round win, and could overhit against a more experienced player.
Prediction: Machac in 4
Cizu: Arguably the match of the day, it promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable encounter. The Czech comes into this in really good form, having already faced 2 tough opponents on the back of a title at Adelaide. Musetti also comes into this in good form, albeit having an easier run so far. This should be a tight affair, but I tip Machac to make a deep run in Australia.
Prediction: Machac in 5
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
