The beauty of a Grand Slam with limited upsets in the first week? We are left with the best players in the world competing for a spot in Friday’s semifinal. The second batch of Australian Open men’s quarterfinals features No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner vs No. 8 Ben Shelton, and No. 4 Novak Djokovic vs No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti. As always, we at LWOT provide our roundtable predictions for the encounters. But who will advance?
Australian Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti
Cizu
Djokovic comes into this one well rested following Mensik’s withdrawal. Musetti is playing with real confidence and will be looking to show he can mix it with the very best players. This could be a real classic between 2 men who possess great court coverage. I expect this to be a physical battle, with drawn-out points and great shot-making. Musetti has a real chance of nicking this one, but I think the extra day of rest and experience in the big moments just about tip this in favour of the great Serb.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5
Jordan
Musetti has pushed Djokovic close a few times despite the head-to-head being one-sided against him. However, Djokovic could not be in a better place heading into this contest. He has only played nine sets so far, meaning previous issues of tiring in the latter stages at Grand Slams should not be an issue. The tennis legend will likely come through this challenge.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Tope
Lorenzo Musetti faces a monumental task to stop ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and reach a first Melbourne semi-final. The Italian trails 1–9 in their rivalry and has lost the last six meetings. Yet, a strong start to 2025 and wins over Tomas Machac and Taylor Fritz show growing confidence on hard courts. Djokovic, sharp and well-rested after a walkover, remains formidable at the Australian Open, where he has lost just nine matches. Musetti has troubled him before, but pushing Djokovic is one thing; finishing the job is another. Expect resistance, but Djokovic is on a mission.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5
Yesh
Novak Djokovic doesn’t need match rhythm or continuity at his age. At this point, he brings the best his body is physically capable of in every match. He got a break with a walkover in the fourth round, and he’ll be fresh for this match. Unfortunate for his opponent, who will actually jump Djokovic for #3 in the world if he wins this match (depending on when others lose), but I think the Serb wins it with ease.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Shane
Can Djokovic’s body last two weeks to claim Grand Slam No. 25? Well, a walkover in the Round of 16 will certainly help. The Serb has been unbothered at the 2026 Australian Open and pairs the form and confidence to beat anyone on tour. Speaking of form, Musetti is playing arguably the best tennis of his career. He absolutely dispatched Fritz in the fourth round and is quietly No. 3 in the live rankings. Expect a battle, but Djokovic, knowing this may be his best shot at No. 25, will not go down yet.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton
Cizu
Sinner has probably looked the most vulnerable he has looked in Melbourne since 2024. There have been cramping issues, and in his match against Dardieri, he looked a bit tired in the third set. Shelton has gone about his work nicely, coming back from a set down to win Ruud, who started the match playing some inspired tennis.
The only concern is how healthy Sinner is coming into this one. He would want to wrap this up quickly, as potentially tougher battles lie ahead. Sinner’s forehand to Shelton’s backhand is probably where this match would be won and lost.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Jordan
Shelton was impressive in his first four matches. However, it is impossible to overlook the head-to-head in this matchup. Sinner has won his last 19 sets against Shelton, including a thrashing at last year’s Australian Open. Shelton winning three sets out of five with that baggage seems very unlikely.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Tope
Ben Shelton needs his serve firing and the game of his life to threaten Jannik Sinner’s Melbourne dominance. The eighth seed has rediscovered rhythm, dropping just one set en route to the last eight. But history looms: Sinner leads their rivalry 8–1 and matches up well against Shelton’s power. There is a sliver of doubt. Sinner showed visible cramps in his last outing, and shorter points could favour Shelton. Many expect Sinner’s winning run to continue, but I’ll walk the lonely road and take a stab at the American. This is the moment to back the upset.
Prediction: Shelton in 5
Yesh
Is this the moment for Ben Shelton to announce himself among the tennis elite? Honestly… I think so. Sinner has had some frustrations and discomfort this week, while Shelton has been playing lights-out power tennis. The Americans’ powerful game will keep Sinner on the defensive, a place he really isn’t used to being. Especially if the roof is open for this match, I think we’re about to see an upset for the ages.
Prediction: Shelton in 5
Shane
Much has been made about Sinner escaping the third round via the “heat rule“, but that had no bearing on his trouncing of Darderi in the Round of 16. Shelton provides the toughest challenge Sinner has faced at the Australian Open, but will it be enough? The American must bring his A+ game from the service line, and even then, the task may be too tall an order.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
