By Tony Fairbairn
- Novak Djokovic [7] v Jiri Lehecka [24]
- Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Mirra Andreeva [14]
- Alexander Zverev [2] v Ugo Humber [14]
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Novak Djokovic’s bid for more Grand Slam history will go through it’s toughest test yet when he takes on Brisbane champion Jiri Lehecka on day eight of the Australian Open.
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Novak Djokovic [7] v Jiri Lehecka [24] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Novak Djokovic [7] v Jiri Lehecka [24] | H2H: Djokovic leads 1-0 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Fourth on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 08:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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After multiple failed attempts over the last year, Novak Djokovic has history on his mind on Melbourne as he bids for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. The Serb is on a revenge tour of sorts having pummelled Tomas Machac in straight sets in the previous round, gaining vengeance on his loss to Machac in Geneva last year, and is hoping that with Andy Murray by his side he can achieve history. The question remains does Djokovic have what it takes to go all the way having been so close in the past?
That question will be put to the test in the next round when he faces another Czech Republican in the form of Jiri Lehecka. Lehecka has won two ATP titles and both of them have come in Australia after the 24th seed won the Brisbane title to begin the 2025 season. A big lefty serve and incredible athleticism makes him a difficult prospect for any player but will now hope to overcome recent injury problems in order to make his mark on the Grand Slam stage.
Djokovic’s will use the serve to neutralize Lehecka’s forehand as the Serb will need to get the first strike in the rallies. Meanwhile Lehecka will dictate play using the forehand, testing Djokovic’s all-court game. The Czech Republican has the quality to cause the upset but he doesn’t have the consistent fitness to match Djokovic here and the Serb should win in four gruelling sets.
Prediction: Djokovic in four sets.
Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Mirra Andreeva [14] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Mirra Andreeva [14] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 3-1 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| First on Rod Laver Arena (00:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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World number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has continued her Melbourne dominance as she is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open this year. However, recent serving jitters have given the rest of the field hope that there are weaknesses there to be exploited and Sabalenka will be hoping that will improve in the second week. History awaits Sabalenka as she bids for a third consecutive Australian Open title, to cement her dominance at the event.
Next up is talented 17 year-old Mirra Andreeva who is into the second week in Melbourne for a second consecutive year. Andreeva continues to impress with each passing tournament and is many people’s pick to break into the world’s top ten at some point this season. The target on her back doesn’t seem to faze her and with a mixture of variety, power and athleticism, there is no reason why Andreeva can’t have her big Grand Slam breakthrough soon.
Sabalenka will use the forehand to pin Andreeva behind the baseline in order to create space on the court. Meanwhile Andreeva will use the backhand to defend Sabalenka’s power and create opportunities to be aggressive herself. These two have played plenty over the last 12 months so there will be no secrets here as an entertaining match can be expected. However Sabalenka’s ruthlessness on return should be too much for Andreeva, who is more than capable of winning a set here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
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Alexander Zverev [2] v Ugo Humbert [14] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [2] v Ugo Humbert [14] | H2H: Zverev leads 2-1 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Fourth on John Cain Arena (Not before 07:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Alexander Zverev is learning how to be more efficient at Grand Slams as he targets his Grand Slam dream. The German is through to the second week in Melbourne without dropping a set and is more determined than ever before to win a first Grand Slam title. Having been so close on two different occasions, Zverev is now hoping that 2025 will be the year he achieves his lifelong dream.
The next obstacle in that dream is Frenchman Ugo Humbert who is into the last 16 in Melbourne for the first time. Despite Humbert’s success on the regular tour, the 14th seed’s form at Grand Slams has been very poor in the past and he will be hoping he can change that this year. A mixture of power and speedy footwork is a recipe for success and Humbert will be hoping that success can bring him to a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.
Zverev will use his serve to dominate the baseline exchanges as he aim to neutralize Humbert’s power. Meanwhile Humbert will aim to come to the net to put pressure on Zverev’s baseline game and finish off points in an efficient manner. Humbert has the game to give Zverev problems but the German should advance in four tough sets.
Prediction: Zverev in four sets.
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