{"id":63074,"date":"2024-01-17T06:00:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T11:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=63074"},"modified":"2024-01-17T00:41:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T05:41:55","slug":"australian-open-day-5-mens-predictions-alcaraz-sonego","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2024\/01\/17\/australian-open-day-5-mens-predictions-alcaraz-sonego\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions Including Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Sonego"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Australian Open second round of men\u2019s singles finishes on Day 5. 16 matches are on the slate as players look to move into Round 3. Which players have the advantage on Day 5? As always, our writers here at LWOT share their thoughts. We split the day\u2019s matches between this and three other articles. Those articles feature Holger Rune vs Arthur Cazaux<\/a>, Alexander Zverev vs Lukas Klein<\/a>, and Daniil Medvedev vs Emil Ruusuvuori<\/a>. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds.<\/p>\n

Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions<\/h2>\n

Tallon Griekspoor vs Arthur Fils<\/h4>\n

Head-to-Head:<\/strong> Griekspoor 0-1 Fils<\/p>\n

Jack:<\/strong>
\nGriekspoor might be feeling it after his four-hour epic against Safiullin and he hasn\u2019t been in the greatest form anyway. The prodigal talent of Arthur Fils should be enough to take advantage of any shortcomings from the 28th seed.
\nPrediction: Fils in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Damian:<\/strong>
\nGriekspoor\u2019s comeback against Safiullin was an insane fighting effort but his draw is so tough. He now gets to play another of the most dangerous unseeded players in the draw. Fils can be rushed in quicker conditions and Safiullin likely would have capitalized on that. Griekspoor is a slightly more comfortable matchup, but this is going to be close.
\nPrediction: Fils in 5<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jordan:<\/strong>
\nFils won comfortably in the opening round, while Griekspoor managed an epic comeback from two sets down against Roman Safiullin. The Dutchman certainly cannot afford to give Fils an advantage like that. Griekspoor will try to be aggressive and mix up his game, but I doubt he can stop Fils. The young French star is improving rapidly and looks confident in Melbourne.
\nPrediction: Fils in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jan-Lennard Struff vs Miomir Kecmanovic<\/h4>\n

Head-to-Head:<\/strong> Struff 2-0 Kecmanovic<\/p>\n

Jack:<\/strong>
\nNeither player has been particularly great at the Slams but it\u2019s Struff that\u2019s generally been capable of the better results. There won\u2019t be much in it but just a touch more experiencing has me leaning towards the German.
\nPrediction: Struff in 5<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Damian:<\/strong>
\nKecmanovic has been playing above his overall standard of late and we’ll have to see how long that lasts. It does have shades of his early 2022 peak though when he was a real scary player for a while. Struff can still play decent stuff (pun intended), but he seems to be headed in the opposite direction overall.
\nPrediction: Kecmanovic in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jordan:<\/strong>
\nStruff\u2019s final-set tiebreak win against Rinky Hijikata seemed to slip under the radar somewhat. It was actually one of the most dramatic opening round matches, and the German did remarkably well to hold his nerve in front of a partisan crowd for Hijikata. I think Struff will win again. The quick courts suit his game, and Kecmanovic is better on clay than hard courts.
\nPrediction: Struff in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>