Novak Djokovic will be back in action on Saturday when he faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round of the Australian Open. Jakub Mensik and Ethan Quinn are also aiming for a place in the second week.
Botic van de Zandschulp vs. (4) Novak Djokovic
It’s not often that a 24-time major champion with ten Australian Open titles can fly under the radar, but that’s what Djokovic is doing these fortnight with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner the heavy favorites and other veterans like Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils making their final appearances in Melbourne. Djokovic has gone about his business quietly so far, beating Pedro Martinez and Francesco Maestrelli in routine straight sets.
The 38-year-old Serbian is well aware that his opponent from Saturday’s third round is much more dangerous. Although Van de Zandschulp is wildly inconsistent, he has a knack for big wins. The 75th-ranked Dutchman upset Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open, defeated Rafael Nadal in the Spaniard’s final match and upset Djokovic in Indian Wells last spring. However, it should be noted that Djokovic dominated their only other meeting 6-3, 6-1 at the 2022 Astana tournament. Van de Zandschulp knocked out Brandon Nakashima and Jerry Shang earlier this week, so he is playing well. Yet nowhere is Djokovic better than Down Under – and he won’t forget his loss to the same opponent from ten months ago.
Choice: Djokovic in 3
(16) Jakub Mensik vs. Ethan Quinn
No one at the Australian Open achieved more impressive results in the first two rounds than Quinn. The former University of Georgia standout destroyed No. 23 seed Tallon Greekpoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and a previously red-hot Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-1. This is the biggest payday of Quinn’s young career, which is more than made up for his credit card roulette loss during a dinner with other American men earlier this week. Yet it does not come completely out of nowhere. Quinn also reached the third round of the French Open last spring before advancing to the second round of Wimbledon.
Next Saturday for the world number 80 is a third meeting with Mensik, who has won both previous meetings. The 20-year-old Czech is off to an excellent start this season, highlighted by a title in Auckland and Aussie Open victories over Pablo Carreno Busta and Raphael Jodar. But a lot of tennis in 2026 may not be a good thing for Mensik – and his first-round match against Carreno Busta was a tough five-setter. On what will be a scorching hot day, Quinn may have a physical advantage. The underdog is on fire, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he stays that way.
Choice: Quinn in 5
#Australian #Open #picks #Djokovic #Van #Zandschulp #Mensik #Quinn