📰 Table Of Contents
The Main Event
Novak Djokovic’s quest for an 11th Australian Open title will receive an early examination tomorrow when he comes up against Czech Tomas Machac in the third round.
The 24-time grand slam champion has failed to display his previous air of invincibility so far in Melbourne, lending further weight to the suggestion that his best days are behind him.
That’s not surprising given he is now 37 years of age and in the twilight of what has been an astonishing career.
Dropping a set to both Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria in rounds one and two proved he is vulnerable and, while those two opponents were not good enough to capitalise fully, Machac most certainly is.
The 26th seed survived a typically serve-dominated clash with giant American Reilly Opelka in the second round and his athletic, baseline game appears well matched against Djokovic.
The pair have played twice previously with the head-to-head record standing at 1-1 – Djokovic winning in a deciding-set tie-break in Dubai in 2023 before Machac won, also in three, in Geneva last year.
Asked to describe his strategy ahead of the encounter, 24-year-old Machac was keeping his cards close to his chest. He said: “It is a secret but you can never underestimate a legend like Novak. He is one of the best players of all time and must always be respected.
“I’ll try to play in the best possible way and take my chances, then we’ll see what happens. I will try to enjoy every moment.”
World no.25 Machac survives a big scare in Opelka, defeating the American 3-6 7-6 (1) 6-7 7-6 (4) 6-4 advancing to the third round at the #AusOpen 👏@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/HJLF3gB51m
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025
Djokovic opens the night session on Rod Laver Arena with second seed Alexander Zverez and third seed Carlos Alcaraz in action earlier on day six.
Zverez meets Brit Jacob Fearnley – the conqueror of Nick Kyrgios – and Alcaraz takes on Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
American number two Tommy Paul is second on the John Cain Arena against Roberto Carballes Baena and keep an eye on the Kia Arena with rising star Jakub Mensik, who beat Casper Ruud in the previous round, taking on dangerous Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Sabalenka opens day session
Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed on the women’s side, is back in action, opening the day’s action on RLA against Clara Tauson.
The Belarusian is seeking a third successive title success in Melbourne and has eased ominously through the draw without getting out of second gear.
One of Sabalenka’s likely challengers later in the tournament is Coco Gauff and she meets Canadian Leylah Fernandez.
The pair met in the United Cup prior to the season’s opening grand slam with Gauff winning 6-3 6-2.
Order of Play
Rod Laver Arena
from 1130am local time
(1) A Sabalenka v C Tauson
N Borges v (3) C Alcaraz
from 7pm local time
(7) N Djokovic v (26) T Machac
O Danilovic v (7) J Pegula
Margaret Court Arena
from 1130 local time
(12) D Schnaider v (18) D Vekic
J Fearnley v (2) A Zverev
from 7pm local time
(3) C Gauff v (30) L Fernandez
(15) J Draper v A Vukic
🎾Australian Open order of play – RLA, MCA, JCA – Friday 17 January 🎾 View schedule ➡️ https://t.co/CiKpzhXiWg #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/UoE3gWH2ZG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
How to Watch
The Australian Open will be shown in the US on ESPN and the Tennis Channel. Check the listings for start times.
Predictions
Djokovic v Machac
Machac has the game and the temperament to beat Djokovic and won’t be overawed by taking on a player who has made Rod Laver Arena his own over the past 15 years.
Machac to win in four sets
Fearnley v Zverev
The Scot has had a great run and looks set for a breakout year. But Zverez will be too strong on this occasion.
Zverez to win in straight sets
Borges v Alcaraz
Alcaraz won their only previous meeting with ease and we can’t see any other outcome here.
Alcaraz to win in straight sets
Sabalenka v Tauson
Another relatively routine outing for the overwhelming favourite.
Sabalenka to win in straight sets
Gauff v Fernandez
The Canadian’s run to the 2021 US Open final proved she has the game to trouble the big guns and we think Gauff could find this a tricky assignment.
She will prevail but not without a scare.
Gauff to win in three sets
