The first round continues at the Australian Open, with American Brandon Nakashima facing Botic van de Zandschulp on Monday. Top Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the seventh seed, will face Nuno Borges.
(7) Felix Auger Aliassime Vs. Nuno Borges
After a miserable first half of the 2025 season, Felix Auger-Aliassime finished the year in the top 10 again, with a particularly impressive performance at the US Open, where he reached the semi-finals. The Canadian can play well on hard courts, although the Australian Open has not been a particularly successful Grand Slam for him.
First-round opponent Nuno Borges, ranked 46th in the world, is a solid, consistent player, but he will have to rely on the FAA to help him. He simply doesn’t have the firepower to trouble Auger-Aliassime when the world number 8 is playing at his normal level.
Cheryl Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Ricky pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4
(27)Brandon Nakashima vs. Botic from the Zandschulp
American Brandon Nakashima has already started 2026 with success. The world number 30 reached the final a few weeks ago during the warm-up event in Brisbane. He lost there to former world number 1 Daniil Medvedev. Nakashima is still looking for his first win in Melbourne after losing in the first round in each of his three previous appearances, but he is now an improved player.
Yet his Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp has been off the boil since 2024. He’s ranked 75th in the world – and plays like it, to be honest. Nakashima has a much bigger lead, despite being 0-3 at the Australian Open all-time.
Cheryl pick: Nakashima in 3
Ricky pick: Nakashima in 3
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