Getty Photos
Spherical two on the Australian Open wraps up with No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev taking over American teenager Learner Tien on Thursday. An at all times flamable Holger Rune will battle Matteo Berrettini.
(5) Daniil Medvedev vs. (Q) Learner Tien
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev was diabolical in his Australian Open first-round match in opposition to world No. 418 Kasidit Samrej. His efficiency was poor sufficient that he smashed a web digicam in anger. Medvedev ultimately squeaked by in 5 units, however his second-round opponent is much extra harmful than Samrej was–and if the Russian continues to play poorly, Learner Tien will take benefit.
Tien made headlines on the very finish of the 2024 ATP season, ending runner-up on the NextGen ATP Finals to Joao Fonseca. The American teenager earned his spot within the Aussie foremost draw the onerous means; he got here up by qualies. With loads of match play in Melbourne already and pure expertise, Tien represents a a lot greater menace to Medvedev than his 121st rating would recommend.
Medvedev is a three-time finalist, together with a run to the title match final yr–when he misplaced a two-set lead over Jannik Sinner. Whereas he usually has his coronary heart damaged in Rod Laver Area, I can’t decide in opposition to him this early within the event.
Cheryl decide: Medvedev in 4Ricky decide: Medvedev in 4
.apm-choosing > .ays_label_poll > div.ays-poll-answer-image > img.ays-poll-each-image{ peak: 150px; } #ays-poll-id-678799ab7f6d0.box-apm .apm-answers .apm-choosing > label.ays-poll-answer-container-label-list > p.ays-poll-answers > span.ays-poll-each-answer-list { padding: unset; word-wrap: break-word; } #ays-poll-id-678799ab7f6d0 .ays-poll-btn{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 1; white-space: regular; word-break: break-word; } } @media display and (max-width: 768px){ #ays-poll-id-678799ab7f6d0{ max-width: 100%; } } #ays-poll-container-2130{ width: 600px; } @media display and (max-width: 768px){ #ays-poll-container-2130{ width: 100%; max-width: 96%; } #ays-poll-id-678799ab7f6d0.box-apm .apm-choosing .ays-poll-each-image-list{ width: 100%; } } ]]>
(13) Holger Rune vs. Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini simply missed out on a seed for this event. The 28-year-old sits at No. 34 on this planet and he had a superb if not stellar 2024 season. He bagged three titles, however they had been 250s on clay and grass. Berrettini has a mixed 10 titles on the “natural” surfaces and none on onerous courts. That’s partly as a result of he’s damage inclined and often finds himself sidelined throughout hard-court swings.
Holger Rune has not traditionally been a good matchup for Berrettini. The 2 males have met 5 occasions; Rune has received all however their first match again in 2022. The 21-year-old Dane has struggled with consistency in his younger profession, however he posted strong outcomes final yr and finds himself ranked thirteenth on this planet. Rune unexpectedly went 5 units within the first spherical in opposition to Zhizhen Zhang, so he may be extra susceptible than regular–however he has performed Berrettini sufficient to recommend that there’s a matchup concern for the Italian.
Cheryl decide: Rune in 4Ricky decide: Rune in 5
.apm-choosing > .ays_label_poll > div.ays-poll-answer-image > img.ays-poll-each-image{ peak: 150px; } #ays-poll-id-678799ac23d22.box-apm .apm-answers .apm-choosing > label.ays-poll-answer-container-label-list > p.ays-poll-answers > span.ays-poll-each-answer-list { padding: unset; word-wrap: break-word; } #ays-poll-id-678799ac23d22 .ays-poll-btn{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 1; white-space: regular; word-break: break-word; } } @media display and (max-width: 768px){ #ays-poll-id-678799ac23d22{ max-width: 100%; } } #ays-poll-container-2132{ width: 600px; } @media display and (max-width: 768px){ #ays-poll-container-2132{ width: 100%; max-width: 96%; } #ays-poll-id-678799ac23d22.box-apm .apm-choosing .ays-poll-each-image-list{ width: 100%; } } ]]>
