+![TOTAL SPORTEK]!" Yue Yuan vs Iga Swiatek 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 ＦｒｅｅＳｔｒｅａｍｓＯＮＴｖＣｈａｎｎｅｌ 19 January 2026

Australian Open Day Men’s Predictions Including Daniil de Jong

Day 2 of the Australian Open sees most of the first round completed, with a whopping 28 men’s singles matches on the cards. As always, our writers here at LastWordOnTennis share their thoughts on the matches with you. We split the 28 matches between seven articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Novak Djokovic vs Pedro Martinez, Andrey Rublev vs Matteo Arnaldi, Tommy Paul vs Aleksandar Kovacevic, Stan Wawrinka vs Laslo Djere, Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Nuno Borges, and Denis Shapovalov vs Yunchaokete Bu. Predicting these matches are Tope Oke, Zain Mustafa, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will win?

Australian Open Day 2 Predictions

Jiri Lehecka vs Arthur Gea

Tope:

This can be a banana peel for Jiri Lehecka against the French youngster Arthur Gea, who arrives here on an eight-match winning streak. The Czech player retired in his most recent match due to a knee injury, and it remains to be seen which version of him turns up. If fit, Lehecka wins.

Prediction: Lehecka in 4

Zain:

Gea’s level in the qualifiers was quite dominant and confidence-boosting for a young player, but the jump up in competition against Lehecka, someone whose serve and forehand can challenge the very best on his day, is just too much to see a result other than the Czech winning.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3

Ilemona:

Lehecka’s aggressive returning and comfort on hard courts give him a clear edge against a talented but less experienced opponent. If he dictates early, this shouldn’t drag on.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3

Elias Ymer vs Alexander Shevchenko

Tope:

Alexander Shevchenko has struggled to make any meaningful impact since his breakthrough season three years ago, although there was a marked improvement in his form in Adelaide recently. However, he is often plagued by inconsistencies, so it will be difficult to back him against Elias Ymer, who will be looking to get past the first round in Melbourne in his fourth attempt.

Prediction: Ymer in 4

Zain:

This is a match that either player can win if they implement their best tennis. But on a faster court, Shevchenko should have enough, on the back of his counterpunching, to win this match.

Prediction: Shevchenko in 4

Ilemona:

Shevchenko’s willingness to take risks and play through the court could expose Ymer’s passive stretches. If he keeps errors under control, he should dictate most exchanges.

Prediction: Shevchenko in 4

Jaume Munar vs Dalibor Svrcina

Tope:

A repeat of the first round here in Melbourne three years ago, which Dalibor Svrcina ran away with in straight sets. Jaume Munar is a different player now and is looking as proficient on hard courts as he is on clay. This should be a comfortable victory for the Spaniard against an out-of-form Czech player. Lightning will not strike twice.

Prediction: Munar in 4

Zain:

Svrcina is playing this match with house money after not having many matches on tour recently. Against Munar, who in recent years has drastically improved his game on hard courts, a win would be a step too far.

Prediction: Munar in 3

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