Australian Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions Including Novak Djokovic vs Pedro Martinez

Day 2 of the Australian Open sees most of the first round completed, with a whopping 28 men’s singles matches on the cards. As always, our writers here at LastWordOnTennis share their thoughts on the matches with you. We split the 28 matches between seven articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Andrey Rublev vs Matteo Arnaldi, Daniil Medvedev vs Jesper de Jong, Tommy Paul vs Aleksandar Kovacevic, Stan Wawrinka vs Laslo Djere, Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Nuno Borges, and Denis Shapovalov vs Yunchaokete Bu. Predicting these matches are Tope Oke, Zain Mustafa, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will win?

Australian Open Day 2 Predictions

Jordan Thompson vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Tope:
Perhaps, the only thing that can hinder a straight-sets win for Jordan Thompson is Jordan Thompson. If the Australian plays to the best of his abilities, the Argentina stands no chance in this one.
Prediction: Thompson in 4

Zain:
Thompson has been quite unlucky over the past 52 weeks or so with the injuries he has suffered. As such, Cerundolo’s path here should be to take the match deep, but the Aussie, on the back of his great serve and forehand, should have other ideas.
Prediction: Thompson in 4

Ilemona:
Thompson’s familiarity with the courts and willingness to play first-strike tennis should matter against a player still adjusting to hard courts at this level. If rallies stay short, that plays directly into Thompson’s hands.
Prediction: Thompson in 4

Brandon Nakashima vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Tope:
While Botic van de Zandschulp is a capable all-court competitor, his form has been inconsistent recently in contrast to Brandon Nakashima, who arrives here on the back of a runner-up finish in Brisbane. The American will win this.
Prediction: Nakashima in 4

Zain:
A match-up involving two clean ball strikers, as such, will be about which player takes the initiative first. While Botic has had a habit of raising his level at the Majors in recent years, Nakashima’s level in Brisbane should be more than enough to get him through here.
Prediction: Nakashima in 4

Ilemona:
Nakashima’s clean ball-striking and calm shot tolerance give him a steadier baseline platform, while van de Zandschulp has struggled to sustain his best level over five sets. Over time, consistency should tip the balance.
Prediction: Nakashima in 4

Terence Atmane vs Francesco Mastrelli

Tope:
Terence Atmane hasn’t regained the form that took him to the Cincinnati semis last season. He has won just once in his last eight matches, which doesn’t inspire much confidence, especially against Francesco Maestrelli, who looked very solid in qualifying. I’ll back the Italian in this one.
Prediction: Maestrelli in 4

Zain:
If Mastrelli utilises his longer frame and serve in this match, he might be able to keep the momentum going coming out of qualifying. But if Atmane uses his lefty angles like he did in his breakout runs last year, he should find himself in the second round of the Australian Open.
Prediction: Atamane in 4

Ilemona:
Atmane’s heavier serve and willingness to step inside the baseline should allow him to control the tempo on quicker courts. Mastrelli may have moments, but sustaining pressure will be tough.
Prediction: Atmane in 3

Novak Djokovic vs Pedro Martinez

Tope:
Pedro Martinez arrives in Melbourne on the back of a Challenger title in Bengaluru, dropping just a set throughout his title charge. This is a different level for the Spaniard, and while he may be fired up to nick a set, the legendary Serb will pull through.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Zain:
Novak Djokovic is back in Melbourne, the site of his most successful Major tournament. While there are some questions around his fitness, Martinez is the perfect type of opponent for Djokovic to build towards a deep run here, as against him his baseline consistency and ball quality should be enough on their own.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3

Ilemona:
Martinez can grind and extend rallies, but Melbourne rewards depth, precision, and patience more than pure defense. Djokovic’s ability to absorb pressure and redirect pace should steadily pull Martinez out of his comfort zone.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3