Tag: Lehecka

It promises to be an entertaining eighth day at the Australian Open with plenty of star power on display. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including all the action from the women’s singles, but who will book their spot in the last eight at Melbourne Park?

Australian Open Day 8 Predictions

Novak Djokovic vs Jiri Lehecka

Jim: Novak Djokovic looked slightly below his best in the opening two rounds, but was much sharper in the last 32 where he dismantled Tomas Machac in straight-sets. Jiri Lehecka is a better player than his countryman Machac and had an impressive first week at the Australian Open. But has he shown enough to beat Djokovic on the Serb’s favourite court? Probably not.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Damian: My thoughts pre-event were to side with Lehecka here after Djokovic will likely be a little softened by a tough battle against Opelka or Machac. But considering what I saw in the previous round, I have to switch it up. Djokovic will still have a hard time winning this event with the challenges that lie ahead, but clearly he’s got at least one extra gear and it’s not even a particularly good matchup for Lehecka. He’d have to redline throughout.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Ateet: Djokovic was at his best in the third round, defeating the dangerous Machac in straight sets. That performance will help him get ready for even tougher challenges that are coming up. Jiri Lehecka is a devastating player and can rush anyone with his power, but to beat Djokovic, he will have to be extremely consistent. I can see him getting a set but not anymore if Djokovic shows up again.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4
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Tommy Paul vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Jim: Long rallies may well be the order of the day here. Both are excellent athletes, but whilst they have weapons, not the sort of players likely to blast an opponent off the court. One suspects that court craft will come into play as a result. Ultimately, however, Tommy Paul is simply the better and more consistent player. It might well be close, but the American should have the edge.

Prediction: Paul in 5

Damian: Davidovich Fokina just pulled off two consecutive comebacks from 0-2 in sets and while he will be tired, he also hasn’t had this many reasons to feel confident about his game and mentality for a while now. But it’s very likely the end of the road here. Paul is just so much better athletically and can match him in the shot-making department, leaving Davidovich Fokina little room to work with. And that room is almost completely gone after two long matches.

Prediction: Paul in 4

Ateet: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made another magnificent comeback from two sets down to take down Jakub Mensik. The Spaniard saved two match points on the way and got better and better as the match progressed. Paul was clinical in his third-round match and will be looking for a similar performance against Davidovich Fokina. Paul has never lost to the Spaniard before and should take this one against a likely fatigued Davidovich Fokina.

Prediction: Paul in 4

Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper

Jim: Carlos Alcaraz at least looked mortal in the third round, dropping a set to Nuno Borges, and Jack Draper has beaten him before – and on a grass court, a surface the Spaniard probably prefers to the quick hard courts in Melbourne. But over the course of five sets, it is hard to see Draper managing to out-hit or outlast the Spaniard. Particularly after spending so much time on court.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 3

Damian: This wasn’t likely to end up being particularly close either way, but a fresh Draper could have been a good candidate to test Alcaraz. The Briton deserves a lot of credit for what he did during the off-season with his specified training taking his fitness and heat resistance to a whole new level. But there’s just no way he has enough in the tank after these three five-setters and Alcaraz will make him suffer.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4

Ateet: Alcaraz dropped his first set of the tournament against Borges but it was still a great performance from the Spaniard. His serve is working beautifully and now he has a chance to get revenge on Draper, who defeated him in straight sets last year on grass. Draper has played three five-setters, and I’m not sure how physically fit he will be. He can keep this close if he can serve well but I don’t expect more from him.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
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Alexander Zverev vs Ugo Humbert

Jim: This should be a real test for Alexander Zverev. He did very convincingly beat Ugo Humbert in their most recent meeting in the final in Bercy at the back end of last year, but one suspects that the occasion got the better of Humbert that day. He should give a better account of himself here. Zverev, however, is striking the ball exceptionally cleanly and serving superbly. Expect him to overpower Humbert.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Damian: Their recent encounter in Paris was a little misleading, Humbert was extremely fatigued after his efforts that week. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good matchup. Zverev hasn’t lost to a left-handed player in almost two years and it makes sense – the usual advantages of spins and serves out wide don’t trouble him with the elite backhand he possesses. It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Frenchman and this isn’t Zverev’s time to exit the event yet.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Ateet: This will be a rematch of the Paris Masters final, with Humbert hoping to exact revenge. Zverev has been strong so far, having yet to drop a set, but Humbert’s game can cause him difficulties. Humbert got outplayed in the Paris Masters final but I expect a better match from him. However, I don’t see him beating the German, who has an incredible record against left-handed players.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images