The first full day’s schedule of the 2026 tennis season includes some interesting matchups in Brisbane, where top seed Daniil Medvedev faces Marton Fucsovics. Jiri Lechecka and Tomas Machac are also there.
(3) Jiri Lehecka vs. Tomas Machac
It will be an all-Czech affair to start the season when Lehecka and Machac face each other for the first time in their careers in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday. An unprecedented team in the Brisbane draw is absolutely loaded with dangerous players, Machac among that group. The 23-year-old has been in top form as he sits in 20th place, but unmanageable tension has always been a problem. Following a hot start to 2025, Machac’s entire season has been abysmal and he is as low as world number 32 – in danger of being excluded from the Australian Open.
Lehecka is undoubtedly as talented as his countryman and he certainly hasn’t changed. The 24-year-old has moved up to number 18 in the rankings after winning 41 tour matches last season. He will have fond memories of Australia, too, having won the title in Brisbane 12 months ago before reaching the fourth round of the Aussie Open. The clear edge in this matchup goes to the defending champion.
Select: Lehecka in 2
(1) Daniil Medvedev vs. Marton Fucsovics
Much of Medvedev’s 2025 season was a disappointment, leading to him parting ways with longtime coach Gilles Cervara. Fortunately for the 29-year-old Russian player, he has improved significantly while having coach Thomas Johansson in his corner. Medvedev finally ended his drought in Almaty, advanced to the semi-finals in Beijing and Shanghai, and reached the finals in Paris. The three-time Australian Open runner-up also loves playing Down Under.
The start of the No. 1 on Monday the seventh meeting with Fucsovics, following the head-to-head series 5-1 (4-1 at the ATP level). Medvedev is 3-0 in this matchup on hard courts (2-0 away), including 6-0 overall in sets without a set contested over 6-4. Most recently they faced each other at the 2024 Miami Masters, where Medvedev won 6-4, 6-2. This is not just a game in favor of Fucsovics, who likes foreign opponents from behind the court. That is no easy task against a player like Medvedev.
Pick: Medvedev at 2
