A jam-packed order of play on Monday features Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas kicking off their Australian Open campaigns. They are facing Americans Nishesh Basavareddy and Alex Michelsen, respectively.
(11) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Alex Michelsen
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to his first-round opponent just a few months ago in Tokyo, so drawing him right away in Melbourne is probably a spot of bad luck for the world No. 11. Tsitsipas had a lackluster start to the 2025 season with a single match win at the United Cup, where he lost to Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets.
American youngster Alex Michelsen didn’t fare much better in his Australian Open warmup. The 20-year-old had one match win in Brisbane and two in Auckland. Michelsen is ranked a career-high 41st in the world. He hasn’t won any ATP titles yet, but he only broke through last season and his stock is on the rise. The good news for Michelsen is that he already knows he can beat Tsitsipas, since he just did so. That makes this match winnable (at least theoretically).
The bad news for Michelsen is that Tsitsipas has historically played well in Melbourne–unlike at the U.S. Open, where he frequently looks out of sorts and has not once advanced past the third round. At the Australian Open, he is a three-time semifinalist and he even made the final in 2023.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 4
Ricky pick: Michelsen in 4
(7) Novak Djokovic vs. (WC) Nishesh Basavareddy
Novak Djokovic comes into 2025 with an Olympic gold medal but completely lacking the title of defending champion at any event. The perennial best player on tour is now seeded seventh; instead of leading one of the halves of the draw, he is a dangerous floater. Djokovic made a high-profile coaching change during the offseason, adding friend and formal rival Andy Murray to his team. The 37-year-old stumbled in his warm up event in Brisbane, where he lost to American Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinals.
American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy may be ranked 133rd in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily make for an easy win for Djokovic. First, Basavareddy earned his wild card into the Australian Open as the winningest American on the Challenger Tour last fall. Then there was his slightly out-of-left-field run to the semifinals of Auckland this past week, when he lost a tight match to eventual champion Gael Monfils. He is, in short, something of a threat.
Since Melbourne is where Djokovic played some of his best tennis and given that he is healthy, it’s hard to see an upset in the making. That doesn’t mean this is going to be a walk in the park for the 10-time champ. Basavareddy is going to make Djokovic work for this one.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 4
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 3
WWW?
Tpas in 5: Basa is ready….in 4
Tpas in 4; Basa is “reddy”….in 4
bold!