Australian Open 2022 Day 4: Men's singles predictions
The remainder of the men's singles second-round matches will be completed on Day 4 of the 2022 Australian Open.
There weren't too many upsets in the top half of the draw, as the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas secured easy wins in the first round. Others, like Andy Murray and Felix Auger-Aliassime, were pushed to their limits but picked up five-set victories.
On that note, let's predict the players' fates on Day 4 of the tournament:
(2) Daniil Medvedev vs Nick Kyrgios
Medvedev's Australian Open campaign got off to a solid start against Henri Laaksonen, winning 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3). However, he might find it tough against Nick Kyrgios.
The Australian crowd will be cheering loudly for the home favorite and if they get a little unruly, it could affect the Russian. However, he has often found a way to use that to his own advantage and should do it again to step up his game.
Predicted winner: Daniil Medvedev.
(4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Sebastian Baez
There were doubts regarding Tsitsipas' fitness heading into the tournament, but he put all of that to rest with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 win over Mikael Ymer in the opening round. Baez, on the other hand, needed five sets to win against Albert Romas-Vinolas.
The Argentinian is playing in his maiden Grand Slam event and while he made a winning debut, it's highly unlikely he'll cause an upset to progress further.
Predicted winner: Stefanos Tsitsipas.
(5) Andrey Rublev vs Ricardas Berankis
Rublev was at his best in the first round as he easily dismantled Gianluca Mager 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The World No. 6 hit 31 winners and committed just 13 unforced errors against Mager and will hope to put up a similar performance against Berankis.
The 31-year old's record against top opposition isn't the best, with just two top 10 wins throughout his career. It just doesn't seem like Berankis will get a third victory tomorrow.
: @wwos · @espn · @Eurosport · @wowowtennisRuthless from Rublev 😲
@andreyrublev97 hammers 31 winners to just 13 errors in dispatching Gianluca Mager 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
#AusOpen • #AO2022
🎥: @wwos · @espn · @Eurosport · @wowowtennis https://t.co/0EIzvK02yK
Predicted winner: Andrey Rublev.
(9) Felix Auger-Alisassime vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Auger-Aliassime was down two sets to one, but staged a spirited comeback to overcome Emil Ruusuvuori in five sets in the first round. Davidovich Fokina, meanwhile, won his match against Alex Bolt in straight sets.
The Canadian is a talented player and could be tested once again, but should be able to edge out Davidovich Fokina for the win.
Predicted winner: Felix Auger-Aliassime.
(11) Jannik Sinner vs Steve Johnson
Sinner and Johnson made contrasting starts to their Australian Open campaigns, with the former winning in straight sets and the latter needing five. Considering their recent form, the Italian should pick up an easy victory.
Predicted winner: Jannik Sinner.
(13) Diego Schwartzman vs (WC) Christopher O'Connell
While Schwartzman appears to be the favorite on paper, he's prone to upsets by players ranked lower than him. At last year's Australian Open, Aslan Karatsev upset him as a qualifier in the fourth round. Botic van de Zanschdulp did the same at the US Open.
This match could go the distance, but the World No. 13 should survive and progress to the third round.
Predicted winner: Diego Schwartzman.
(20) Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe
In this all-American clash, Fritz is the marginal favorite to win. He played at a high level at the 2022 ATP Cup and carried that form into the first round of the Australian Open. Tiafoe, meanwhile, needed five sets to get past qualifier Marco Trungelliti, but could rise to the occasion against his compatriot.
Last year, he upset Tsitsipas at Wimbledon and then Rublev at the US Open. Tiafoe tends to up his game against top opposition and could do the same against Fritz.
Predicted winner: Frances Tiafoe.
(26) Grigor Dimitrov vs Benoit Paire
The Australian Open is Dimitrov's most successful Grand Slam, with 29 wins at the tournament so far. Meanwhile, after losing in the first round at all Slams last year, Paire finally won a match by defeating Thiago Monteiro in five sets on Tuesday.
The Frenchman has been quite inconsistent over the last two years and against Dimitrov, who plays his best in Melbourne, a win seems farfetched for him.
Predicted winner: Grigor Dimitrov.
(WC) Andy Murray vs (Q) Taro Daniel
Playing in his first match in Melbourne since his first-round loss in 2019, Murray battled for four hours to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets. The five-time Australian Open finalist is playing incredibly well and even reached the final in Sydney before this tournament.
Against Daniel, who's never been past the second round of a Slam, the Brit should record a straightforward win.
Murray magic ✨
@andy_murray outlasts Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 after nearly four hours of tennis!
#AusOpen · #AO2022
🎥: @wwos · @espn · @Eurosport · @wowowtennis https://t.co/lr9xMN8f9M
Predicted winner: Andy Murray.
Maxime Cressy vs (Q) Tomas Machac
Cressy started the year by reaching the final at the Melbourne Summer Set, where he lost to Nadal. In the first round of the Australian Open, he upset John Isner in five sets. The American has improved by leaps and bounds, and shouldn't face much trouble against Machac.
Predicted winner: Maxime Cressy.
Also check out: Complete Australian Open 2022 results