Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov face tough opponents on Wednesday in Adelaide as they try to earn quarterfinal spots. Medvedev is going up against Miomir Kecmanovic, while Khachanov awaits Jack Draper.
(3) Daniil Medvedev vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Medvedev and Kecmanovic will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Adelaide International on Wednesday afternoon. They faced each other twice last year, when Medvedev prevailed 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 at Roland Garros and 7-6(0), 6-1 on the hard courts of Los Cabos.
To say that Medvedev had an interesting debut match in 2023 would be a gross understatement. The world No. 7 saved nine set points to take the opener from Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(6) before the Italian retired down 2-1 in the second. Kecmanovic cruised past Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-4. Medvedev generally plays well Down Under and his past history against the 29th-ranked Serb is extremely encouraging, so this could be a routine result.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
Jack Draper vs. (8) Karen Khachanov
Draper had Khachanov on the ropes when they previously squared off last summer in the U.S. Open third round. At one set all the 21-year-old Brit twice led by a break in the third set only to retire because of a back injury. It was still a breakthrough 2022 campaign for Draper, who won 19 matches on the main tour and now registers at 41st in the rankings.
Both players rolled in round one. Draper disposed of Soonwoo Kwon 6-1, 6-2, while Khachanov got the best of Pedro Cachin 6-2, 6-4. Khachanov’s 2022 season was mediocre aside from a semifinal run at the U.S. Open, so if not for the Draper injury these two players’ rankings could look very different right now (Khachanov is 20th). Draper has more momentum behind his sails heading into this year and seems poised to avenge the New York result.
Pick: Draper in 3
WWW?
Great win for RBA over Rublev….Med in 2; Draper in 3.