Novak Djokovic will run into an in-form Tomas Machac as Australian Open third-round action gets underway on Friday. In an all-unseeded matchup, Jakub Mensik will try to keep his run going against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
(7) Novak Djokovic vs. (26) Tomas Machac
Djokovic and Machac will be squaring off for the third time in their careers when they meet again in round three of the Australian Open on Friday. To say that Machac has played Djokovic tough would be an understatement; the Czech lost in a final-set tiebreaker at the 2023 Dubai tournament before pulling off a 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 upset in the Geneva semifinals last spring.
Unfortunately for Machac, facing Djokovic at a Grand Slam is a whole different beast. It also has to be noted that the Serb was far less than 100 percent physically when they clashed in Geneva. He is in much better shape now–and even though the 37-year-old has been underwhelming so far this fortnight, that is nothing new for him in the early rounds of majors. When the competition level increases, so does Djokovic’s level. And the competition level certainly increases with Machac, who enjoyed the best year of his career in 2024 and is 4-1 in completed matches this season (not including a retirement while leading Taylor Fritz by a set at the United Cup). However, another cause for concern is that the 24-year-old Czech already has an extensive history of physical problems and is coming off a five-setter against Reilly Opelka on Wednesday.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
Jakub Mensik vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Mensik may not be Joao Fonseca, but he the 19-year-old should not be overlooked as another teenager who has Grand Slam-winning potential. Title contention may still be a couple of years away, but Mensik has a good chance to reach at least the quarterfinals of the 2025 Aussie Open. The world No. 48 is off to an impressive start with a routine win over qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili and a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 upset of sixth-seeded Casper Ruud.
Up next for Mensik is a third encounter with Davidovich Fokina. The head-to-head series is tied 1-1 after they faced each other in back-to-back weeks last February. Mensik prevailed 7-6(3) 6-4 in Doha and then retired early in the second set in Dubai after losing the opener 9-7 in a tiebreaker. The Czech appears to have a clear advantage heading into this one. He has been in much better form than Davidovich Fokina dating back to last summer and the Spaniard just played the longest match of the tournament on Wednesday–outlasting Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 in four hours and 51 minutes.
Pick: Mensik in 4
WWW?