Australian Open R2 previews and predictions: Djokovic vs. Tsonga, Zverev vs. Chardy

Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev will continue their Australian Open campaigns against big-hitting Frenchman on Thursday. Djokovic is facing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while Zverev awaits Jeremy Chardy.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (WC) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

It will be a rematch of the 2008 Australian Open final when Djokovic and Tsonga collide during second-round action this time around. Overall, this marks the 22nd career meeting between the two veterans–and first since the 2016 U.S. Open. Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 16-6, including a dominant 12-1 in their last 13 encounters. They have squared off twice in Melbourne; Djokovic triumphed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(2) for the title 11 years ago, while Tsonga scored a 7-6(8), 6-7(5), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 quarterfinal upset in 2010.

Both players have endured their fair share of injuries since then, but it is Djokovic who has come all the way back. Looking for a third consecutive Grand Slam title, the top-ranked Serb began his fortnight with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 destruction of qualifier Mitchell Krueger. Tsonga, who is toiling away at No. 177 in the world, is finally showing signs of tennis life. The Frenchman reached the Brisbane semifinals, beating Alex de Minaur in the process, and he advanced through round one by disposing of Martin Klizan 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5). That is all well and good, but Djokovic is obviously a whole different beast and Tsonga has not encountered anything like him in his latest comeback from knee problems.

Pick: Djokovic in 3

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(4) Alexander Zverev vs. Jeremy Chardy

Zverev finally pocketed at least some measure of Grand Slam success by making a run to the 2018 French Open quarterfinals, but that will do nothing to ease pressure at this Australian Open. Ensuing first-week losses to Ernests Gulbis (Wimbledon) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (U.S. Open) only add to the question marks surrounding a player who excels at just about every other level. After all, Zverev is a three-time Masters 1000 champion and he wrapped up his 2018 campaign by winning the Nitto ATP Finals.

Up next for the world No. 4 is a fourth career contest against Chardy, who trails the head-to-head series 2-1. After the Frenchman prevailed at the 2015 Kuala Lumpur event, Zverev came out on top twice in 2017 (Montpellier and Munich). Chardy, just barely unseeded at 36th in the rankings, improved to 4-2 this year by outlasting compatriot Ugo Humbert in a fifth-set super-tiebreaker on Tuesday. That kind of energy-sapping match won’t help Chardy’s chances when he is already a massive underdog even at 100 percent.

Pick: Zverev in 3

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