Vamos Australian Open Preview
The 2019 Australian Open kicks off tomorrow morning, and we are doing a full preview of every Australian singles player in action during the tournament. We are also running a competition on Instagram & Facebook entitled #furthestaussie. Read our preview, and then head to our latest post on social media and pick which Australian male & female singles player you think will go furthest in the tournament this year. Lets go!
Mens Singles –
Thanasi Kokkinakis (Ranked #145)
The Kokk has finally had a clear run with injury and looks to be putting some form together. He did all the hard work going through qualifying and we think time on court has helped him find his groove. He has a winning record against his 1st round opponent and we think he takes out Shapovalov in the 2nd round.
Prediction – 3rd round
Alex Bolt (Ranked #159)
Bolty has a great chance to take out former top 10 player Jack Sock in the 1st round. Jack had a lousy year in 2018 in terms of singles, and we think Alex will be too consistent for him. He will also push Gilles Simon in the 2nd round – could go either way.
Prediction – 2nd round
Nick Kyrgios (Ranked #51)
Australian Tennis’ public enemy no. 1 takes on Milos Raonic in the 1st round. In a battle of the serves, we think Nick will come up clutch on key points in tiebreaks to edge Milos. A likely second round match against Stan Wawrinka could go either way, depending on either players moods.
Prediction – 3rd round
Alexei Popyrin (Ranked #149)
Our prediction for 2019 is that Pop is the Australian player to watch. We think he beats Mischa Zverev 1st round, but will fall to Dominic Thiem in the 2nd.
Prediction – 2nd round
Bernard Tomic (Ranked #85)
Tomics comeback has actually gone under the radar, with a position firmly inside the top 100 a surprise to most people. He has all the talent to push inside the top 50 during 2019, but we think he falls to 2018 runner-up Cilic in the 1st round here.
Prediction – 1st round
John Millman (Ranked #38)
John is Australia’s favorite son at the moment, and a favourable draw sets him up for a push deep into the Australian open. His consistency in the heat and the added bonus of a vocal home crowd has John primed for a huge run.
Prediction – 4th round
Jordan Thompson (Ranked #72)
Jordan has the capacity to produce big results and he will have to when he takes on big serving leftie, Feliciano Lopez. He should push him to 5 and grind his way to victory, but we don’t see him progressing from there.
Prediction – 2nd round
Jason Kubler (Ranked #131)
It is fantastic to see Jason healthy and playing to his full potential. He is a huge chance to take out Fabbiano 1st round and from there he will be facing a weary big serving American – either Reilly Opelka or John Isner – who will likely be coming off a long match.
Prediction – 2nd round
Marc Polmans (Ranked #170)
The king of the grind will push Denis Kudla to the absolute brink – could go either way. We are backing him to cause an upset but from there it looks too tough.
Prediction – 2nd round
Alex De Minaur (Ranked #29)
The Aussie number 1 is primed to make his first big Grand Slam run. He is coming off his maiden ATP title in Sydney, and his confidence would be at an all time high. Unfortunately, a 3rd round match-up against Rafael Nadal awaits.
Prediction – 3rd round
Matt Ebden (Ranked #47)
Ebden continues his no-nonsense tennis and leaves big name after big name in his path. Unfortunately, the king of clay awaits in round 2.
Prediction – 2nd round
James Duckworth (Ranked #238)
It seems like James gets a tough draw every year at the Aussie Open – he should push Nadal but its tough to see him getting past him.
Prediction – 1st round
Womens Singles –
Sam Stosur (Ranked #69)
Sam has had an amazing career but has not played her best tennis at Melbourne Park. We think she falls 1st round to her young opponent.
Prediction – 1st round
Ajla Tomjlanovic (Ranked #47)
Ajla took out her 1st round opponent a few weeks ago in Brisbane, and she should be too strong for Konta again. From there, it is tough to see her getting past Muguruza in the 2nd round.
Prediction – 2nd round
Daria Gavrilova (Ranked #41)
Daria is an absolute dynamo when she gets going. We think Daria takes out her 1st round match, and then causes the upset of the early rounds of the tournament by taking out Naomi Osaka in the 2nd round. From there, her confidence should be huge and we think she will exceed expectations.
Prediction – 3rd round
Destinee Aiava (Ranked #191)
Destinee has a huge game and is playing some great tennis – in patches. She has drawn a tough opponent in Madison Keys, and we cant see her getting past the 1st round.
Prediction – 1st round
Ash Barty (Ranked #15)
Our Australian number 1 had a massive 2018, and we think 2019 will be even better. Our prediction is that Ash will be a top 5 player by the end of 2019. And accumulating those points will start with a run at her home Grand Slam. The key? That backhand slice!
Prediction – Semi-FInals
Ellen Perez (Ranked #175)
Ellen is playing some fantastic tennis and will relish being in the Australian open main draw, but her opponent is crafty and tough and we don’t see her getting past.
Prediction – 1st round
Astra Sharma (Ranked #230)
Astra did the hard yards and came through qualification with some huge wins, but unfortunately she plays fellow Aussie, Priscilla Hon, in the 1st round and will struggle to make it past her.
Prediction – 1st round
Priscilla Hon (Ranked #161)
Remember this name! Priscilla is going to take out Astra and former Roland Garros champion, Jelena Ostapenko, on her way to a match-up with Ash Barty in the 3rd round.
Prediction – 3rd round
Zoe Hives (Ranked #211)
It is fantastic to see Zoe competing in the maindraw of her home grand slam, but we think her opponent will have too much experience for her.
Prediction – 1st round
Kim Birrell (Ranked #249)
Despite her ranking outside the top 200, Kim is playing top 100 tennis and we think she makes it through to a 3rd round match against world no. 2, Angie Kerber.
Prediction – 3rd round
We are hoping for some fantastic results for the Australian players in this years Australian Open. Our picks for #furthestaussie are Ash Barty & John Millman. Head to our facebook or instagram and get your picks in before 10am tomorrow morning!
