Sunday at the Australian Open headlines the much-anticipated match between Daniil Medvedev and Student Tien. The winner will face either Alexander Zverev or Francisco Cerundolo in the quarterfinals.
(11) Daniil Medvedev vs. (25) Student Tien
The rematch continues, as Medvedev and Tien will meet for the second consecutive year at the Australian Open – this time in the fourth round on Sunday. They faced each other in the second round 12 months ago, with Tien pulling out a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(10-7) upset in quick fashion. They met twice last season, with Tien advancing by retiring for the third time in the Beijing semifinals before Medvedev prevailed 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters.
The 29-year-old Russian gave himself a chance at revenge at the Aussie Open, but it wasn’t easy. After making quick work of Jesper de Jong and Quentin Halys, Medvedev trailed Fabian Marozsan in two sets and a break in the third on Friday. However, the player who came second in Melbourne bounced back 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3. Tien needed five sets in his opening match against Marcos Giron but picked up the pace to beat Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges with ease. With both guys playing well, another five-set marathon could be on the cards. This time it may be Medvedev who holds the edge, as the confident former world No.
Pick: Medvedev at 5
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. (18) Francisco Cerudolo
Zverev and Cerundolo are also regular enemies. Sunday marks their sixth meeting – four of which have taken place in the past 11 months. Cerundolo once took a 3-0 lead, but the situation has changed. Zverev, who lost only on clay, won 6-4, 1-0 when Cerundolo retired at the Toronto Masters and the German won 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the Davis Cup final.
A strong court should again favor Zverev, especially in Melbourne. The world No. 3 is a lifetime in this one tournament with one result (last year), two semifinal appearances, and one quarterfinal effort. So far this week he has ousted Gabriel Diallo, Alexandre Muller and Cameron Norrie all in four sets. Cerundolo has advanced through the direct routes of Zhizhen Zhang, Damir Dzumhur, and Andrey Rublev. The 21st-ranked Argentinian is always dangerous because he uses one of the biggest forehands on the tour, but in Grand Slams he can never beat top-level opponents.
Pick: Zverev at 4
