Day 5 action at the Australian Opencontinues with a strong slate of second-round matchups featuring all-time greats, established contenders, and rising talents. Novak Djokovic resumes his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, while Taylor Fritz looks to build momentum after a strong opening performance. Elsewhere, intriguing baseline battles headline matches involving Eliot Spizzirri, Yibing Wu, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Tomas Machac. Offering their insights and predictions are Ilemona Onekutu, Steen Kirby, and Zain Mustafa. Who will advance?
Australian Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli
Ilemona: Djokovic’s first round was businesslike, minimizing errors and conserving energy while still controlling patterns from the baseline. Maestrelli played freely to advance, but sustaining that freedom under Djokovic’s relentless pressure is unlikely.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Steen: Djokovic hasn’t lost since the Shanghai semifinals, at 38, and with some fitness concerns, he’s still one of the best in the world. Maestrelli came through qualifying and built himself up through the ATP Challenger Tour where he was 40-23 last season. He likely has a bright future ahead, but this is still Djokovic’s moment to shine, especially on hard courts.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Zain: A ten-time champion in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic started this tournament the way he ended 2025, playing exceptional, top-three-in-the-world-caliber tennis. Francesco Maestrelli will be greatly overmatched in both baseline exchanges and the serve-return dynamic as Djokovic continues his hunt for a record 25th Major.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3