Our tennis expert, Graham Ruthven, has picked out three tips for day two of the Australian open.
Daniil Medvedev v Frances Tiafoe
Tuesday January 21, Australian Open men’s singles first round
After a breakthrough year which saw Daniil Medvedev rise to fourth in the world rankings and make his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, the Russian is widely expected to be a contender at this year’s Australian Open. He has also enjoyed a strong start to 2020, leading Russia to the semi finals of the ATP Cup.
However, Frances Tiafoe is an enigmatic player with great talent even if 2019 was a poor year for him. The American should be able to stick with Medvedev in terms of movement. It might be difficult for Tiafoe to find a way through his Russian opponent, though, such is his ability as a human backboard. Medvedev should ease through here.
1.5pt - Daniil Medvedev 3-0 4/7
Jennifer Brady v Simona Halep
Tuesday January 21, Australian Open women’s singles first round
As a former Australian Open finalist and former world number one, currently ranked fourth, Simona Halep is expected to be among the challengers at the first Grand Slam of the year. However, the Romanian has endured a difficult start to the season, suffering an early exit at the Adelaide Open before arriving at Melbourne Park.
On the flip side, Jennifer Brady has enjoyed a strong start to 2020, making the quarter finals at the Brisbane International. The American has also previously made it as far as the Australian Open fourth round (2017). Halep will still be the favourite to emerge from this one, but from all the first round ties on the women’s side of the draw this looks most ripe for an upset.
0.5pts - Jennifer Brady To Win 2/1
Sascha Zverev v Marco Cecchinato
Tuesday January 21, Australian Open men’s singles first round
2020 will be a big year for Sascha Zverev. 2019 was a disappointing one for the young German and so he must make amends this season. Zverev has never made it past the quarter finals of a Grand Slam in part due to his struggles in getting through the early rounds swiftly. Indeed, the 22-year-old has a habit for finding himself in five-set epics.
Zverev has suffered a poor start to the year, losing all three matches he played in the ATP Cup. Mentality seemingly dictates all for the German and he already looks to be frustrated, which doesn’t bode well. However, Marco Cecchinato has never made it past the opening round of the Australian Open, so while Zverev might suffer trademark troubles he should progress into the second round.
1pt - Sascha Zverev 3-1 @ 16/5
