Australian Open R2 previews and predictions: Korda vs. Moutet, Carreno Busta vs. Griekspoor

The top half of draw–sans Novak Djokovic–will be in second-round action on Wednesday. American upstart Sebastian Korda will take on Corentin Moutet, while Pablo Carreno Busta runs into the red-hot Tallon Griekspoor.

Sebastian Korda vs. Corentin Moutet

Sebastian Korda began his inaugural Aussie Open on Monday with a monster upset win over the No. 12 seed Cameron Norrie. The youngster dispatched Norrie in decisive straight sets. The nature of the win–impressive on its own–was all the more notable as Korda tested positive for Covid-19 upon landing in Australia a few weeks ago and was forced to miss his tune up event while he quarantined.

Korda is one of a promising group of young Americans just breaking through in the past 18 months. He sits at 43rd in the world and won his first title in 2021. He moves well and has excellent court sense and shot selection with a calm disposition. What he has not developed as yet is a weaponized serve, a surprise given his size (6’5″). But despite the fact that he is no ace machine, he looked impressive against Norrie on Monday.

Corentin Moutet has produced a good start to the 2022 season. The Frenchman is ranked right at No. 100 in the world. He came up through qualifying to reach the semifinals in the second Adelaide event last week. Moutet beat his struggling countryman Lucas Pouille in the first round to earn his place against Korda.

While Moutet is playing well, Korda was ruthlessly efficient against Norrie. The American should find his way to the third round.

Cheryl pick: Korda in 4

Ricky pick: Korda in 3

(19) Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Tallon Griekspoor

It’s doubtful that Pablo Carreno Busta is happy to see Tallon Griekspoor in his path so early in Melbourne. Griekspoor has gone on an other-worldly run since he went down at the U.S. Open to Novak Djokovic. He won five successive Challenger events to close out 2021. He is even technically 3-0 in 2022, owing to the fact that he withdrew from the Melbourne Summer Set prior to his quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal. The Dutchman dispatched Fabio Fognini in the Aussie Open first round on Monday.

Carreno Busta was part of the Spanish contingent at the ATP Cup to kick off the 2022 season. He lost his final encounter against Denis Shapovalov when Spain faced Canada, but he won the other four matches in Sydney. The world No. 21 is a talented hard-courter, although Melbourne Park has not been a historically successful venue for him

There is a real upset danger here. Griekspoor is a winning machine right now and his momentum is going to be difficult to halt.

Cheryl pick: Griekspoor in 4

Ricky pick: Carreno Busta in 4