We’re going to get an exciting third-round match-up at the Australian Open between Felix Auger Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev. These two met in Melbourne two years ago, when Auger-Aliassime coughed up a two-set lead over Medvedev. The Russian ended up earning a 6-7 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-4 victory in that match, and he finished as runner-up. But that match was one that showed the world Auger-Aliassime's big-time potential. And while 2023 might have been tough on the Canadian, he still has a very bright future. He'll remind us of that again in this match.
I’m not backing Auger-Aliassime to win outright, but he should be able to come away with at least a set. Medvedev was able to escape with a victory in an absurdly tough second-round match against Emil Ruusuvuori—3-6, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-0, after four hours and 21 minutes, at 3:39 in the morning. I'm expecting Medvedev to be rather fatigued here, and that’s not what you want for a player that relies heavily on his legs. Medvedev runs as much as anyone on tour, as defense is his calling card.
