Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic will take the courtroom towards Alexei Popyrin following a slight stutter within the first spherical. In-form Aussie Alex de Minaur can even be in motion towards Matteo Arnaldi.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin
Overwhelming match favourite Novak Djokovic had a surprisingly aggressive first-round match towards the world No. 178 qualifier Dominic Prizmic. The Serb, who received three majors in 2023, dropped the second set earlier than he righted the ship to shut out the match in 4. Count on to see an improved Djokovic on Wednesday. Alexei Popyrin is a recognized amount and he doesn’t have the form of weapons that are likely to trouble Djokovic.
Popyrin, from Australia, had a quick warmup in Brisbane. He received his first-round match over countryman Christopher O’Connell, however he misplaced a heartbreaker within the second to Roman Safiullin in a third-set tiebreaker. Popyrin, who’s at present ranked forty third on the planet, posted a straight-set Aussie Open first-round win over countryman Marc Polmans.
Something aside from a win for Djokovic can be a shocker. Even for the highest seed to drop a set can be a shock.
Cheryl choose: Djokovic in 3
Ricky choose: Djokovic in 3
(10) Alex de Minaur vs. Matteo Arnaldi
Alex de Minaur had an excellent run-up to the Australian Open. The 24 year-old performed for Group Australia within the United Cup and pocketed large wins over Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz. De Minaur dropped the primary set of his first-round match towards Milos Raonic, however he rebounded within the second set earlier than the Canadian retired down 0-2 within the third.
De Minaur’s second-round opponent is the up-and-coming Matteo Arnaldi. The Italian world No. 41 performed two tournaments coming into Melbourne in Brisbane and Adelaide. He had a strong quarterfinal end in Brisbane. He defeated one other Aussie, Adam Walton, within the first spherical earlier this week.
This would be the first assembly between De Minaur and Arnaldi. With the Aussie’s type and the truth that he’ll be enjoying in entrance of an enthusiastic house crowd, this could go comfortably to the world No. 10.
Cheryl choose: De Minaur in 3