{"id":63084,"date":"2024-01-17T06:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T11:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=63084"},"modified":"2024-01-17T01:32:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T06:32:17","slug":"australian-open-day-5-mens-predictions-medvedev-ruusuvuori","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2024\/01\/17\/australian-open-day-5-mens-predictions-medvedev-ruusuvuori\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions Including Daniil Medvedev vs Emil Ruusuvuori"},"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>, Carlos Alcaraz vs Lorenzo Sonego<\/a>, and Alexander Zverev vs Lukas Klein<\/a>. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds.<\/p>\n

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

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Hugo Grenier<\/h4>\n

Head-to-Head:<\/strong> first meeting<\/p>\n

Jack:<\/strong>
\nAuger-Aliassime should definitely be considered vulnerable at this tournament but he still has the potential to deliver high level matches. Grenier doesn\u2019t look like the man to take advantage of that vulnerability, however, having defeated Muller in the previous round whilst suffering intense cramps in his legs.
\nPrediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Damian:<\/strong>
\nGrenier\u2019s run has come completely out of nowhere, somewhat like his Madrid third round last year. Auger-Aliassime will have quite a lot of pressure on himself here to finally put away the French qualifier. He probably pulls it off, but someone playing with house money like Grenier is at this point might as well turn out more dangerous than it seems on paper.
\nPrediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jordan:<\/strong>
\nAuger-Aliassime had one of the best matches of the first round in his five-setter against Dominic Thiem. The good news for the Canadian is Grenier also had a very long five-set battle against Alexandre Muller. Auger-Aliassime\u2019s level has not been easy to predict for the last 12 months. However, he will prevail here with most of the level he had against Thiem, and I think Auger-Aliassime will find that.
\nPrediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tommy Paul vs Jack Draper<\/h4>\n

Head-to-Head:<\/strong> Paul 0-2 Draper<\/p>\n

Jack:<\/strong>
\nDraper\u2019s biggest weakness has been his vulnerability to injury. It\u2019s boiling hot in Australia and Giron took the Brit passed the three-hour mark on Monday, where Draper vomited at the end of the match due to an anxiety attack. Tommy Paul came through far more comfortably against Barrere and will be looking to match his semifinal appearance from last year. Though Draper beat Paul in Adelaide, I think the conditions and fitness favour the American.
\nPrediction: Paul in 4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Damian:<\/strong>
\nDraper might be running low on fuel after Adelaide and now the five-setter with Giron where he vomited on the court. If it’s going to be hot again, his chances will massively decrease. And that’s despite playing one of the matches of his career so far against Paul last week. Fitness and athleticism are the American\u2019s strong suits.
\nPrediction: Paul in 5<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jordan:<\/strong>
\nDraper defeated Paul in Adelaide just a few days before the Australian Open started. But I see this ending differently. Draper did brilliantly to recover from two sets to one down against Marcos Giron, but he was exhausted at the end, vomiting at the end of the match. Even with a day\u2019s rest, playing last year\u2019s ultra-consistent semifinalist will require a herculean effort from Draper. Paul to take this in straight sets.
\nPrediction: Paul in 3<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>