The Australian Open heats up on Friday, with 2021 and 2022 finalist Daniil Medvedev taking on American Sebastian Korda. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas is in action against in-form Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
(7) Daniil Medvedev vs. (29) Sebastian Korda
Don’t be fooled by Daniil Medvedev’s seeding. He is No. 7, but he is one of the odds-on favorites to win the title (second after Novak Djokovic). Medvedev has traditionally performed well in Melbourne; he was a set away from taking the title last year before Rafael Nadal came roaring back for his 21st slam title. The Russian has doled out a pair of beatings so far this week, with routine straight-set wins over Marcos Giron and John Millman to earn his spot in the third round.
Sebastian Korda has played notably well so far in 2023, so he should prove to be a more challenging opponent for Medvedev. He made the final in Adelaide, where he had a match point against eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Unlike Medvedev, Korda has had to work fairly hard for his round-three berth. Cristian Garin took a set from Korda before the American took care of business against Japanese qualifier Yosuki Watanuki in the second round.
Korda snagged a set from Medvedev in their only other meeting at the 2021 Paris Masters. With the underdog playing some of the best tennis of his career–and with an all-important improved serve–this one could be a real treat. It’s hard to pick against the Russian, but Korda isn’t going to gift-wrap the win.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 4
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 4
(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Tallon Griekspoor
Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas seem to be on a semifinal collision course for the third year in a row in Melbourne. And the good news for fans is that so far there is no indication that the results will be otherwise. Tsitsipas hasn’t dropped a set yet, with straight-set wins over Quentin Halys of France and Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata.
Tsitsipas’s Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor has also looked sharp so far in Melbourne. The world No. 63 posted a surprisingly easy win over more famous countryman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round, and he will no doubt come out firing against Tsitsipas.
Look for Griekspoor to keep a couple of sets close, but with the way Tsitsipas is strinking the ball right now the Greek should find his way to the round of 16.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 4
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 3
WWW?
Med in a hard fought 3….”Greek” in 3.
Seb Korda TEARING IT UP. This is crazy stuff out there on RLA.
Yes but he was up a break in the third and had 40-15 and got broken. Hope he isn’t going to choke.
After his match with Novak when he pushed him to the limit its pretty clear he is America’s best player. Fritz has now gone out early in back to back slams.
He was indeed. He seems to be holding it together here at the tail end of the third, though. Let’s see what he does in the tiebreaker.
He won!!! Very happy for him!😀
Is Korda about to leap up the rankings? Looks like it. Seems to be about to become a star.
Med drops to #12 on the live rankings and may fall further.
Good one Korda! He’s playing some great tennis! So Med is out in str8ts!! Who is left to blow even a slight draft in Novak’s way, injury or no injury!!Sigh! Just give him the trophy already and lets move on!
I think Tsitsipas is the highest seed left? Most of the high seeds are lying in the boneyard now.
sinner will win it all. Pinned this