We wrap up the first round of the Australian Open on Day 3, with 20 men’s matches on the schedule. As always, our writers here at LastWordOnTennis share their thoughts on every single match with you. We split the 20 matches between five articles, with the other four featuring Gael Monfils vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Taylor Fritz vs Jenson Brooksby, Daniil Medvedev vs Kasidit Samrej, and Andrey Rublev vs Joao Fonseca. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Tope Oke, and Andreas Pelekis. Who do you think will advance?
Australian Open Day 3 Men’s Predictions
Matteo Berrettini vs Cameron Norrie
Damian:
This is a pretty tough opener for Berrettini, who played just one match during the warm-up swing. He used to perform very well in Australia and had a fantastic comeback in 2024. The Norrie game tends to be a bit tricky though and they’ve only played each other once on grass so far. I’ll take the Italian, but don’t be surprised if this gets a bit spicy.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
Tope:
Cameron Norrie looked liked he was finding his form but his last two matches have shown otherwise. He needs to give more than his best to stand a chance of victory against one of the decent hardcourt players in Berrettini. The Italian should have this.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
Andreas:
Norrie has fallen down the rankings as of late, and unfortunately for him, he has crucial Australian Open fourth-round points to defend. The Italian hasn’t won an ATP match since last October, but his powerful serve should break down Norrie’s possibly nervous game. The two last played in an ATP 500 final in 2021.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
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Hubert Hurkacz vs Talon Greek Spoor
Damian:
Hurkacz is defending a quarterfinal run and considering his draw, his chances of doing that look really slim. Issues start in the opening match already. Across four matches with Griekspoor, he’s always been pushed to the deciding set and only came out on top twice. Let’s say he does it again, but just barely in another thriller.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 5
Tope:
Interesting encounter this promises to be against familiar opponents who are even in their previous exchanges. However, I’ll go with the Pole, who has had more matches this season and possesses on of the biggest serves in the sport.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 4
Andreas:
Griekspoor is no easy first-round match, and Hurkacz will surely look to get ahead in this match early. The Pole has played well throughout the early stages of 2025, and has some big quarterfinal points to defend here at the Australian Open. Griekspoor’s all-court game will trouble Hurkacz’s serve, but the Pole should have enough to win in a close one. Each of the pair’s four matches has gone to a deciding set.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 4
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-Tristan Boyer vs Federico Coria
Damian:
Coria is the draw you want a hard-court Major, but it’s not like the Argentinian hasn’t produced upsets in the past. Regardless of how well Boyer played in the qualifying, he needs to stay on target. He’s close to being Top 100 ready by now and should ultimately take this one, even if it could be a little tougher than expected.
Prediction: Boyer in 4
Tope:
Tristan Boyer couldn’t have asked for a more winnable opportunity to launch himself unto the big stage. The young American is on an 8-match win streak and the veteran Argentine, Coria, can’t stop him at the moment, especially on hard courts.
Prediction: Boyer in 3
Andreas:
Coria has a poor 6-26 record on hard courts, and hasn’t won a tour-level match on this surface since the 2023 US Open. Boyer, meanwhile, just qualified for his first Grand Slam by making it to this stage. The American will keep up the momentum and cause a minor upset here, as long as he can keep his consistency together in the big moments.
Prediction: Boyer in 4
Gael Monfils vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Damian:
Monfils is coming off a big run in Auckland, which might leave him a little physically spent ahead of this one. While it’s not going to be the most physical matchup, Mpetshi Perricard can end points quickly regardless of who the opponent is. It’s time for the youngster to prevail in this all-French battle against someone who was surely one of his idols.
Prediction: Mpetshi-Perricard in 4
Tope:
Gael Monfils came out all guns blazing in Auckland last week, dropping just a set on his way to winning the title. He’s now up against the rising star of French tennis who rarely loses his serve. Mpetshi-Perricard will hold on to his serve to clinch a win on his debut here.
Prediction: Mpetshi-Perricard in 4
Andreas:
This should be a fun encounter, with the two Frenchmen facing off against one another for the first time. Monfils won the 13th title of his career in Auckland last week, but I feel that Mpetshi Perricard’s youth and fitness might wear down the 38-year-old over the course of a long match. Monfils will have to get into return games and counter Mpetshi Perricard’s brutal serve.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
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