Zverev vs. Michelsen, Hurkacz vs. Humbert

Alexander Zverev will fight newbie Alex Michelsen for an area in the round of 16 at the Australian Open. Hubert Hurkacz and Ugo Humbert will likewise take the court as third-round action finishes up on Saturday.

(6) Alexander Zverev vs. Alex Michelsen

On paper this looks like it would be a simple match to call. Alexander Zverev is ranked 6th worldwide and he is a familiar figure in business end of the majority of occasions. Alex Michelsen is as green as they come. The American teen has actually played precisely one significant previous to this occasion (2023 U.S. Open). Michelsen is ranked 91st worldwide.

Despite those realities, this match is far from a slam dunk for the German. First, Zverev didn’t play up to his typical requirements in his very first 2 matches. He was oh so near losing his second-round match to 163-ranked qualifier Lukas Klein, and he dropped an embeded in his very first match versus compatriot Dominik Koepfer. And then there’s the truth that Michelsen has all the makings of this year’s Ben Shelton. The 19-year-old has a lot of skill and he has actually currently dispatched a seed (No. 21 Jiri Lehecka).

If Zverev goes off the boil even a little, or Michelsen forgets that he’s expected to be anxious versus a top-10 gamer, the underdog might well have opportunities at the upset.

Cheryl choice: Zverev in 5

Ricky choice: Michelsen in 4

(9) Hubert Hurkacz vs. (21) Ugo Humbert

Like the Zverev-Michelsen match, this has the makings of a genuine fight. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz tends to be streaky. He won 2 occasions in 2023, made the last in Basel, however likewise lost his opening match on the red clay of the Rome Masters to J.J. Wolf and had some all-too-early Grand Slam exits. The truth that the Pole has actually traditionally not played up to his seeding at majors is popular. He made the round of 16 in 2015 at the Australian Open, connected for his second-best slam result behind a 2021 semifinal revealing at Wimbledon.

Ugo Humbert from France is ranked a career-high No. 20 on the strength of his best-ever season in 2023. The 21st seed didn’t have an extremely effective warmup occasion. He got ill in Adelaide and needed to withdraw before his second-round match versus Jordan Thompson. He possibly hasn’t been at his finest right now in Melbourne; Humbert has actually dropped an embeded in each of his matches up until now.

Hurkacz holds a 2-0 record over Humbert, however both of the matches were close. There is every factor to believe that Saturday’s match will be likewise competitive.

Cheryl choice: Hurkacz in 5

Ricky choice: Hurkacz in 5