Ricky’s picks for Day 1 on the Australian Open, together with Zverev vs. Pouille

Why wait till Monday when the Australian Open can get began on Sunday? That would be the case for a second consecutive 12 months in Melbourne. Amongst these taking the court docket for opening day on the boys’s aspect are Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Arthur Fils.

Listed here are my picks for 2 of Day 1’s greatest matchups.

(WC) Lucas Pouille vs. (2) Alexander ZverevZverev and Pouille can be going through one another for the primary time of their careers after they collide in spherical one of many Australian Open on Sunday. It’s stunning that that is their first assembly, however in could be defined partly by the truth that Pouille was off the 4 for a number of years. The 30-year-old Frenchman is lastly wholesome once more and parlayed that right into a ton of success on the Challenger circuit in 2024.

Nevertheless, going up towards Zverev at a Grand Slam is clearly an entire completely different scenario. The 27-year-old German is as much as No. 2 on the earth and he’s a two-time main finalist. It ought to be a largely routine begin for Zverev as he begins one other bid for an elusive slam title.

Choose: Zverev in 3

Juncheng Shang vs. Alejandro Davidovich FokinaShang and Davidovich Fokina can be squaring off for the third time of their careers. Davidovich Fokina has gained each of their earlier conferences; 6-3, 7-5 on the 2024 Miami Open and 7-5, 6-3 not lengthy thereafter on the clay courts of Madrid.

Search for Shang to get some revenge on Sunday. The 19-year-old from China was one of many tour’s breakout performances in 2024, when he surged to fiftieth on the earth. He captured his first ATP title final fall in Chengdu and started his 2025 marketing campaign with a semifinal lead to Hong Kong. Davidovich Fokina has not performed effectively since final spring and has additionally struggled with some bodily issues. As such, Shang ought to have the benefit.

Choose: Shang in 4

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.