We have now arrived at Week 2 of the Australian Open, which will get underway on Sunday. Amongst these searching for spots within the quarterfinals are Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul.
Listed below are my previews and picks for Day 8 of the season’s first Grand Slam.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. (12) Tommy PaulTo say that it was a dramatic run to the second week for Davidovich Fokina could be a gross understatement. The 66th-ranked Spaniard gained back-to-back five-set matches and did so from two units down on each events. He beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in 4 hours and 51 minutes after which surprised Jakub Mensik after Mensik served for the match and led 6-5, 30-0 within the third set.
It doesn’t get any simpler for ADF since he has to face Paul on Sunday. Paul has gained all three of their earlier conferences, two of which have been extraordinarily convincing. The American has seemed nice since struggling in opposition to Christopher O’Connell within the opening spherical, as he raised his degree to trounce Kei Nishikori and Roberto Carballes Baena within the subsequent two matches. Paul ought to be capable of proceed his momentum on the expense of a fatigued opponent.
Decide: Paul in 4
(14) Ugo Humbert vs. (2) Alexander Zverev
Zverev and Humbert will probably be squaring off for the third time of their careers on Sunday. The pinnacle-to-head collection stands at 2-1 in favor of Zverev after he destroyed Humbert 6-2, 6-2 within the Paris Masters remaining this previous fall. They’d cut up their two earlier encounters; Humbert obtained the job accomplished 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 on the 2021 Halle occasion earlier than Zverev prevailed 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(5) in one other Paris contest two years in the past.
An higher hand clearly goes to Zverev on this one, and it could possibly be as lopsided as their current Paris encounter. That’s simply how nicely Zverev continues to be taking part in; the German hasn’t come near dropping a set to this point this fortnight. Furthermore, Humbert took a medical timeout for a shoulder challenge in his third-round match in opposition to fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils (Fils finally retired within the fourth set). Rely on Zverev rolling into the quarterfinals.
Decide: Zverev in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
