Day 4 of the Australian Open showcases thrilling matchups in the men’s second round as players strive to advance in the tournament. Frances Tiafoe will seek to maintain his momentum against Francisco Comesana, while Alejandro Davidovich Fokina faces off against towering opponent Reilly Opelka. Additionally, Australian player Jordan Thompson is set to compete against Nuno Borges, and rising American talent Learner Tien takes on Alexander Shevchenko. Expert predictions from analysts Andreas Pelekis, Steen Kirby, and Zain Mustafa provide insights into these exciting matches.
In the matchup between Frances Tiafoe and Francisco Comesana, Tiafoe, despite a shaky start to the season, displayed promising form in his first-round match. Zain believes that if Tiafoe continues to serve well, he should win, predicting a four-set victory. Andreas echoes this sentiment, noting Tiafoe’s strength in his opening match against a solid-surfacing Comesana. He expects Tiafoe to advance but acknowledges potential challenges if he can’t control errors. Steen underscores Tiafoe’s unpredictability, suggesting that a high-level performance could be crucial for his success, also predicting Tiafoe in four sets.
The clash between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Reilly Opelka is poised to be a fascinating encounter. Zain points out that while Opelka has a powerful serve, Davidovich Fokina’s all-around game could prove too difficult for the big server to manage. Andreas also highlights Davidovich Fokina’s strong return game and notes his previous win against Opelka, predicting a four-set victory for the Spanish player. Steen adds that Davidovich Fokina’s consistent level of play gives him an advantage, ultimately predicting a straight-set win for Fokina.
Australian native Jordan Thompson faces Nuno Borges, who enters the match with the momentum from his opponent’s retirement in the previous round. Zain anticipates a tight contest decided by aggressive baseline play, favoring Borges in a five-set battle. Andreas reflects on Borges’s recent performance and Thompson’s struggles at his home Grand Slam, predicting Borges to advance in four sets. Steen acknowledges the potential for Thompson to rise to the occasion but believes Borges’s recent form will lead him to victory in five sets.
Lastly, Learner Tien takes on Alexander Shevchenko in what promises to be an intriguing match. Zain suggests that while Shevchenko’s confidence may give him an edge, Tien’s tactical awareness will likely prevail. Andreas notes Tien’s challenge of defending significant points after a breakout year, and he predicts an upset favoring Shevchenko in five sets. However, Steen argues that Tien’s exciting potential and higher level of play this year make him a strong contender, predicting Tien will win in four.
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await the outcomes of these matches, with each player giving their all for a chance to move deeper into the Australian Open.