The first full daily schedule of the 2026 tennis season features some intriguing matches in Brisbane as top seed Daniil Medvedev takes on Marton Fucsovics. Jiri Lechecka and Tomas Machac are also in action.
(3) Jiri Lehecka vs. Tomas Machac
It will be an all-Czech affair to start the season when Lehecka and Machac surprisingly face off for the first time in their careers in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday. Enter the unseeded contingent the Brisbane draw is absolutely full of dangerous players, including Machac. The 23-year-old was ranked 20th in the rankings, but wild inconsistencies have always been a problem. After a hot start in 2025, the rest of Machac’s season has been largely terrible and he is ranked No. 32 in the world – in danger of not being seeded at the Australian Open.
Lehecka is perhaps just as talented as his compatriot and certainly more consistent. The 24-year-old sits at number 18 in the rankings after recording 41 match wins on the main tour last season. He will also have fond memories of Australia, having won the title in Brisbane 12 months ago before reaching the fourth round of the Aussie Open. A clear lead in this match goes to the defending champion.
Choice: Lehecka in 2
(1) Daniil Medvedev vs. Marton Fucsovics
Much of Medvedev’s 2025 season was a huge disappointment, leading to him splitting from his longtime coach Gilles Cervara. Fortunately for the 29-year-old Russian, he improved significantly down the stretch with coach Thomas Johansson in his corner. Medvedev eventually ended his title drought in Almaty, advanced to the semi-finals in Beijing and Shanghai and reached the quarter-finals in Paris. The three-time Australian Open runner-up also likes to play Down Under.
First up for the No. 1 seed on Monday is a seventh meeting with Fucsovics, who leave the head-to-head series at 5-1 (4-1 at ATP level). Medvedev is 3-0 in this match on hard courts (2-0 outdoors), including 6-0 in total sets, with no set more competitive than 6-4. They last faced each other at the 2024 Miami Masters, where Medvedev cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win. This is simply not a favorable match for Fucsovics, who likes to beat physical opponents from the back of the court. That is no easy task against a player like Medvedev.
Choice: Medvedev in 2
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