Australian Open Day 6 Predictions Including Djokovic vs Machac

Australian Open actions continues on Day 6 with the beginning of the third round. Eight men’s singles matches are on the docket, including 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic squaring off against No. 26 seed Tomas Machac. Our other prediction article features Carlos Alcaraz vs Nuno Borges. Predicting this set of matches are Damian Kust, Ateet Shrivastava and Liam McBride. Who do you think will advance?

Australian Open Day 6 Men’s Predictions

Jack Draper vs Aleksandar Vukic

Damian
Draper spending 8,5 hours on the court already won’t help him here, but there is a quality gap between him and Vukic that could be enough to overcome that. The Australian has a strong serve and can play with consistent spin off the ground when he wants to, giving himself a shot to survive in a more gritty contest. But let’s say Draper pulls off one more win before running out of steam in the fourth round.
Prediction: Draper in 4

Ateet
Draper was on the verge of losing in the second round but his fighting spirit helped him to win the match in the end. He had to fight Kokkinakis and the fans, and he’ll have to do it again in the third round when he faces another Australian player. Aleksandar Vukic upset Sebastian Korda in a fantastic match and will pose a threat to Draper with his big serve and forehand. However, I will back Draper as he is still a better player if he plays to his potential.
Prediction: Draper in 4

Liam
Both Jack Draper and Aleksandar Vukic have battled through two five-set matches to reach this stage. Therefore with two jaded figures on court, quality and intensity may be bypassed in this bout. Draper’s serve will likely prove crucial, affording him free points, whereas Vukic will have to work harder. This will prove the difference maker.
Prediction: Draper in 3

Jakub Mensik vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Damian
Mensik is quietly one of the most in-form players at the moment with lots of trust in his attacking shots and excellent serving throughout the first two matches. It’s not going to be easy against someone as versatile as Davidovich Fokina, but it’s been a while since the Spaniard performed at the peak of his powers. Mensik is ready for that first big Slam run and would have to produce a slightly disappointing performance not to get it.
Prediction: Mensik in 4

Ateet
Jakub Mensik will be pleased not only with his spectacular victory over Casper Ruud but also with the fact that Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was involved in a long match and will be exhausted. Fokina is into the Australian Open third round for the first time and will give his best to win, but Mensik will be in better shape and has more firepower.
Prediction: Mensik in 4

Liam
Sure, Casper Ruud isn’t in the greatest form, but Jakub Mensik’s performance against him was still mightily impressive. The Czech teen bullied the sixth seed and continues to go from strength to strength. However, Davidovich Fokina made a statement, knocking out Adelaide Champion Felix Auger-Aliassime from two sets down. This will be a similarly long battle, with youth prevailing over experience.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 5

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Arthur Fils vs Ugo Humbert

Damian
This has been one of the toughest matchups for Fils on the tour. The lefty spins keep him in the deep backhand corner and it’s not like he can easily accelerate off Humbert’s flatter ball either. If the younger of the two Frenchmen is to prevail, it’s going to be another massive effort like when he saved a match point to beat his compatriot in the Tokyo final.
Prediction: Humbert in 5

Ateet
Arthur Fils has played two solid matches against tough players so far but this one would be the toughest. He faced multiple times against Humbert last year and will know what to expect from his compatriot. Humbert has had an easier route so far but he knows he will have to play his best tennis to win this match. It’s a close call between these two as both have big weapons and will come down to who can execute better. I am backing the higher-ranked Frenchman.
Prediction: Humbert in 5

Liam
The all-French battle that is likely to produce fireworks. Humbert is playing the better tennis right now and is yet to lose a set. In contrast, Fils has a higher ceiling but is yet to show a level of consistency which would make him the favourite for this tie. Should he bring his A game, he will likely win, but based on the opening two rounds performance, there is little to suggest that will be the case.
Prediction: Humbert in 4

Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac

Damian
Djokovic is looking vulnerable so far and this is his first serious test. Machac was struggling big-time on return against Opelka, but we know he feels more comfortable in this matchup of two spectacular backhands down-the-line. Picking the upset feels tempting especially with how the Czech should probably be okay going blow for blow off the ground with Djokovic. I’ll probably refrain for one more round though.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5

Ateet
Djokovic faced another stern test in the second round against Jaime Faria and looked sluggish in parts of the match. He ended the match strongly and will need to bring that level against Tomas Machac, who is a very dangerous player and can upset Djokovic. I can see this going five sets but Djokovic’s experience should help him edge this out.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5

Liam
It’s got match of the day written all over it. Machac’s surge over the past year has proved well worth a watch. His shot-making ability is up there with the very best and we have seen him cause issues to the crème de la crème of the sport. In his prime, these flashy and aggressive players would find themselves neutralised by Djokovic’s consistency and margin for error. Yet, the twenty-four-time Grand Slam Champion has regressed in recent times. Consequentially, he will find himself at the hands of a shock exit.
Prediction: Machac in 4

Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports