2025 Australian Open | Men’s Day 7 (Saturday) Tips & Preview

Sinner has not lost a match since October (China Open) but it has not been one way traffic in Melbourne so far for the world number one. The first two sets against Jarry in the opening round went to tiebreakers and he was forced to come from a set down against Schoolkate in his previous match. Both of those opponents possessed a critical weapon – a big serve but that is not something Giron has in his arsenal. He may have played nine sets in his two matches, but that does not change the fact that the American has had his broken 13 times in total. Have the feeling that Sinner will find his feet here in a match that will feature more lengthy baseline exchanges that he has had in his previous matches. That will suit Sinner as Giron does not have the weight of shot to consistently hit through him.

Their one and only meeting on tour came five years ago in this tournament with Fritz winning a tight four set match that included three tiebreakers. The American has taken his game us several notches since but we cannot ignore the Frenchman’s recent form. He is riding a seven-match win streak but will have to change his style if he is to win here. We have seen him stand very deep to return serve and he has relied heavily on his defensive skills to draw errors from his opponents. Of the eight sets he has played in this tournament, five of them have had 12 or more total games. Cannot see him holding serve easily enough to trouble Fritz who in turn, will step in and crush winners – unlike any of Monfils recent opponents. Fritz to cover the games handicap is a great bet today as even if Monfils wins a set, it will likely be in a tiebreaker.

Thought De Minaur might run into some trouble against Tristan Boyer but got that one completely wrong. The Aussie has been dominant from the baseline and the increase in power that he has developed in the last 18 months has helped his game significantly. Has won almost 60% of 2nd serve points for the tournament and has dropped more than four games in only one of the last 10 sets he has contested, dating back to the United Cup. Nevertheless, I find it difficult to take a player that is susceptible to dropping serve to cover big lines. The Aussie went 0-3 at the ATP Tour Finals and was able to win only one of seven sets. Admittedly, Cerundolo is not a top 10 player but he is fresh after Diaz Acosta retired early in their match and can trade balls from the baseline all day long with his eyes closed. Taking him to win a set.

When two players that dominate on serve face off, we look to lean on the player that can generate more opportunities in return games, and the player with big match experience. Michelsen won a total of only six games in his loss to Sinner at the US Open last, and with that match still fresh in the memory, I am finding it difficult to consider him here. Was on the wrong end of losses to Thompson and Basavareddy in his two tournaments leading into the Australian Open and we are yet to see him deliver on the big stage. Is yet to make the fourth round of a major and he will have to wait a little longer before he does so. Khachanov in no more than four sets.