We’re already approaching the second week of the season’s first Grand Slam, as spots within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open will begin to be handed out on Friday. Novak Djokovic is continuous his marketing campaign towards Tomas Machac, whereas Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff are additionally amongst these taking the court docket.
Listed below are my previews and picks for 2 of Friday’s finest matchups.
(7) Novak Djokovic vs. (26) Tomas MachacDjokovic and Machac are going through one another for the third time of their careers. Their earlier matches have been very encouraging for Machac, who misplaced in a third-set tiebreaker on the ATP 500 in Dubai two years in the past earlier than prevailing 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 final spring on the purple clay of Geneva.
These outcomes are all nicely and good for the Czech, however working into Djokovic at a slam is a wholly completely different type of state of affairs. In any case, the 37-year-old Serb has gained a file 24 of these items–together with 10 at Melbourne Park. Djokovic was not at his very best towards both Nishesh Basavareddy or Jaime Faria within the first two rounds, however he normally picks up the tempo as soon as the competitors degree heats up at majors. It additionally doesn’t assist Machac that he’s coming off a five-set wrestle with Reilly Opelka in spherical two.
Choose: Djokovic in 4
Jakub Mensik vs. Alejandro Davidovich FokinaMensik is one among three youngsters who’ve ousted a top-10 opponent at this Aussie Open (additionally Joao Fonseca towards Andrey Rublev and Learner Tien towards Daniil Medvedev). That’s the primary time this has occurred because the 1990 French Open. Mensik’s victory came visiting world No. 6 Casper Ruud on Wednesday, which was preceded by four-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili within the opening spherical.
The 19-year-old Czech has cut up his two earlier conferences with Davidovich Fokina, altho his “loss” went to 9-7 within the first-set tiebreaker and was adopted by a retirement. Mensik beforehand defeated the Spaniard 7-6(3), 6-4 every week earlier in Doha. Davidovich Fokina has struggled since final summer season and performed the longest match of the match–4 hours and 51 minutes–towards Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday. That’s not a terrific recipe for achievement shifting ahead.
Choose: Mensik in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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