Day 2 at the Australian Open brings a packed schedule at Melbourne Park, with most of the men’s first-round matches set to be decided. A total of 28 singles clashes are on the program, as the year’s first Grand Slam continues to build momentum under the summer sun.
Tennis fans across Australia will have plenty to watch, with established names and rising talents all chasing a place in round two. As part of a wider set of previews, this article focuses on four key match-ups: Alexei Popyrin vs Alexandre Muller, Marin Cilic vs Daniel Altmaier, Reilly Opelka vs Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, and Denis Shapovalov vs Yunchaokete Bu.
Elsewhere on the Day 2 slate, attention will also be on headline contests including Novak Djokovic vs Pedro Martinez, Daniil Medvedev vs Jesper de Jong, Tommy Paul vs Aleksandar Kovacevic, Stan Wawrinka vs Laslo Djere, Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Nuno Borges, and Andrey Rublev vs Matteo Arnaldi.
Predictions for these matches come from Yesh Ginsburg, Zain Mustafa, and Ilemona Onekutu, each offering a different perspective on how these opening-round battles could unfold. With hard courts, home crowds, and early-season form all in play, Day 2 is shaping up as a pivotal moment in the tournament.
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Alexei Popyrin returns to Rod Laver Arena carrying the hopes of local fans who have long believed his best tennis is still to come. The Australian has shown flashes of brilliance on hard courts but has yet to put together the deep Grand Slam run many feel he is capable of.
Yesh Ginsburg sees this as a prime opportunity for Popyrin to finally find his rhythm. He believes the Australian’s powerful groundstrokes could click into place at the perfect time.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
Zain Mustafa is more cautious, noting that Muller’s heavy-hitting style makes him a tricky opponent. While Popyrin’s recent form has been inconsistent, Zain feels the backing of a home crowd could lift him through a tight contest.
Prediction: Popyrin in 5
Ilemona Onekutu also leans toward the Australian, pointing to how well Popyrin’s serve and forehand suit the Melbourne courts. If rallies stay short, she believes Muller may struggle to blunt that firepower.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
For Australian supporters, this match offers a real chance to see one of their own build momentum early in the tournament.
Marin Cilic vs Daniel Altmaier
Marin Cilic steps onto court as a former Grand Slam champion still searching for consistency in the latter stage of his career. While no longer the dominant force he once was, the Croatian remains capable of producing high-level tennis on his day.
Yesh Ginsburg acknowledges that Cilic is far removed from his US Open-winning peak, but says the veteran still shows moments of quality. With his power and variety, Yesh believes Cilic can trouble most opponents when things fall into place.
Prediction: Cilic in 4
Zain Mustafa highlights Daniel Altmaier’s heavy one-handed backhand as a potential weapon, especially against players with limited court coverage. Even so, he feels Cilic’s overall shot-making gives him a clear edge in this match-up.
Prediction: Cilic in 4
Ilemona Onekutu expects Altmaier’s defensive skills to be tested by Cilic’s ability to finish points from both wings. If the Croatian’s serve holds firm, she sees him controlling large stretches of the match.
Prediction: Cilic in 5
For fans at Melbourne Park, this contest blends experience and grit, with Cilic aiming to remind everyone he still belongs on the big stage.
Reilly Opelka vs Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
Towering American Reilly Opelka brings one of the most feared serves in men’s tennis into his opening-round clash with Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. While Budkov Kjaer is viewed as a promising talent for the future, this match presents a steep learning curve.
Yesh Ginsburg believes Budkov Kjaer will one day become a strong tour-level player, but says he currently lacks the experience to handle a serve as dominant as Opelka’s. If the American serves well, Yesh expects a straightforward result.
Zain Mustafa notes that Budkov Kjaer showed encouraging form at the Next Gen ATP Finals and during qualifying at Melbourne Park. However, he points to Opelka’s serve as the “ultimate equaliser,” predicting at least one tiebreak in what could be a tense contest.
Prediction: Opelka in 5
Ilemona Onekutu agrees that Opelka’s serve fundamentally changes the dynamics of hard-court matches, particularly in the early rounds of tournaments. She says breaking the American will be an enormous challenge.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
With fast courts and warm conditions, this match could hinge almost entirely on how often Opelka lands his first serve.
Denis Shapovalov vs Yunchaokete Bu
Few players divide opinion like Denis Shapovalov, whose explosive style can be both breathtaking and frustrating. Against Yunchaokete Bu, the Canadian’s performance may once again come down to how well he manages his own aggression.
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Yesh Ginsburg believes this match will be decided largely by Shapovalov’s choices. When his power is controlled and his rhythm is steady, he can beat almost anyone. But that balance has been hard to find. Yesh sees Bu as the more solid player and says an upset would not surprise him.
Prediction: Bu in 4
Zain Mustafa points out that Shapovalov often starts matches with everything on his racket due to his ultra-attacking approach. This gives Bu plenty of chances to stay competitive. Still, Zain expects Shapovalov to strike the right balance for long enough to edge through.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
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Ilemona Onekutu believes Bu can hit cleanly from the baseline, but says Shapovalov’s shot-making and willingness to attack second serves could create key momentum swings. If the Canadian keeps his error count down, she feels he should progress.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
For Australian audiences, this is one of the most intriguing matches of the day, with momentum likely to shift multiple times.
A Big Day Ahead at Melbourne Park
Day 2 of the Australian Open promises a mix of tight battles, potential upsets, and performances that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With 28 men’s singles matches to be played, the first round is rapidly drawing to a close, and the field will soon narrow.
For Australian fans, there is added interest in seeing how Alexei Popyrin handles the pressure of home expectations. Elsewhere, veterans like Marin Cilic aim to prove they still have plenty to offer, while power servers such as Reilly Opelka look to make their presence felt early.
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The clash between Denis Shapovalov and Yunchaokete Bu stands out as a test of temperament versus consistency, a storyline that often delivers drama on the Melbourne courts.
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As the summer of tennis continues, Day 2 could shape the narrative for several players’ campaigns. With form, fitness, and nerves all in play, Melbourne Park is set for another compelling chapter in the 2026 Australian Open.