Australian Open R1 previews and predictions: Murray vs. Basilashvili, Van de Zandschulp vs. Struff

Sydney runner-up and formr world No. 1 Andy Murray kicks off his Australian Open campaign against familiar foe Nikoloz Basilashvili on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Botic Van de Zandschulp takes on the German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff.

(21) Nikoloz Basilashvili vs. (WC) Andy Murray

Although it may be a bit early to declare that Murray is officially back, he’s much closer than he has been in a good long while. The Scot has been struggling to regain his form since hip replacement surgery sidelined him in 2019. Just last week, however, he made his way to the final of the tuneup event in Sydney. He went down in straight sets to Aslan Karatsev but not before he pocketed some impressive wins, including a second-round encounter with Tuesday opponent Basilashvili.

Murray has beaten the Georgian twice since he has come back from surgery– last week and in 2021 at Wimbledon. So despite the ranking difference (Murray sits at world No. 113), it wouldn’t be an upset if Murray wins.

Players have reported that the courts in Melbourne Park are playing a bit slower and the surface grittier than in recent years. If that makes for a long, grinding match it could spell difficulty for Murray if his match fitness is not where he would like it to be. Still, with recent history highly favorable Murray should find his way to the second round.

Cheryl pick: Murray in 4

Ricky pick: Murray in 4

Botic Van de Zandschulp vs. Jan-Lennard Struff

This is the first meeting between Van de Zandschulp and Struff. It could be one of the more competitive of the first-round matches. Van de Zandschulp had the best tournament of his life at the U.S. Open in 2021, and his ranking shot up to No. 57 in the world. Struff has been hovering around his current ranking of 52nd in the world for a long while.

Struff has historically dismal results at the Australian Open. The German is a shocking 1-7 in main-draw matches in Melbourne. His single first-round victory came back in 2018. All of this is good news for Van de Zandschulp, whose star is clearly on rise. The Dutchman played his first-ever main-draw slam matches in 2021 and by the U.S. Open result should propel him to more success in 2022.

Cheryl pick: Van de Zandschulp in 4

Ricky pick: Van de Zandschulp in 4