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What’s going to Friday on the Australian Open do for an encore? It actually has huge sneakers to fill, as Thursday was nothing wanting epic from begin to end. The duty of following it belongs to Novak Djokovic and Shelton, amongst many others.
Listed below are my previews and picks for 2 of Friday’s most notable matchups.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (30) Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Nothing has been straightforward for Djokovic to date. The world No. 1 required 4 units to defeat 18-year-old qualifier Dino Prizmic in spherical one and did the identical in opposition to Alexei Popyrin in spherical two, surviving 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Subsequent up for him on Friday is Etcheverry, and if two earlier encounters (each final 12 months) are any indication, this third-round matchup might be extra one-sided. Djokovic rolled 7-6(5), 6-2 on the Rome Masters and and eased to a 6-3, 6-2 indoor victory on the Paris Masters.
Nonetheless, not all hope may be misplaced for Etcheverry. The Thirty second-ranked Argentine just lately surged into relevance on the ATP Tour in 2023 and is just getting higher and higher. He reached the quarters at Roland Garros final spring and has added to his main win whole with victories over veterans Andy Murray and Gael Monfils–each in straight units. Primarily based on kind to date this fortnight, Etcheverry has an actual probability to take a set if not even two from Djokovic. Nonetheless, sooner or later you must assume the 10-time AO champion will elevate his stage.
Decide: Djokovic in 3
(20) Adrian Mannarino vs. (16) Ben Shelton
These two southpaws will likely be going through one another for the second time. Their solely earlier tilt got here on the 2023 Miami Open, the place Mannarino received 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. This rematch figures to be totally different. Though Shelton had already made it to the QFs at Melbourne Park on the time they met final spring, he was in the midst of a six-month stoop and is a completely totally different participant now. Additionally a U.S. Open semifinalist, Shelton–as much as No. 16 on the earth–is as soon as once more taking part in properly on the large stage. Thus far this week he has knocked off Roberto Bautista Agut in straight units and Christopher O’Connell in 4.
Mannarino can also be coming off one of the best season of his profession. The 35-year-old Frenchman compiled a 1-3 document on the United Cup earlier this month, however he’s again in gear with wins over Stan Wawrinka and Jaume Munar–each in 5 units. Enjoying 10 units by means of two rounds is much from preferrred, particularly for a grizzled veteran like Mannarino. Furthermore, that is truly a foul matchup for him regardless of what their earlier assembly signifies. Mannarino’s sliding lefty serve performs to Shelton’s power: the forehand. Shelton’s out-wide lefty serve and massive cross-court forehand will exploit Mannarino’s weak point: the forehand. The American is trying scary good lately, so search for him to win in simpler style than many count on.
Decide: Shelton in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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