Australian Open Day 8 Men’s Predictions including Djokovic vs Lehecka

It promises to be an entertaining eighth day at the Australian Open with plenty of star power on display. As always, here at LWOT we’ll be offering our predictions for every match on the board, including all the women’s singles action, but who will book their place in the last eight at Melbourne Park?

Australian Open Day 8 Predictions

Novak Djokovic vs Jiri Lehecka

Jim: Novak Djokovic looked a little below his best in the first two rounds, but was much sharper in the last 32, dismantling Tomas Machac in straight sets. Jiri Lehecka is a better player than his compatriot Machac and had an impressive first week at the Australian Open. But has he shown enough to beat Djokovic on the Serb’s favorite court? Probably not.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Damian: My pre-event thoughts were to side with Lehecka here after Djokovic is likely to be softened a bit by a tough match against Opelka or Machac. But given what I saw in the previous round, I have to switch it up. Djokovic will still struggle to win this event with the challenges ahead, but it’s clear he has at least one extra gear, and it’s not even a particularly good matchup for Lehecka. He had to redline all the way through.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Ateet: Djokovic was at his best in the third round, defeating the dangerous Machac in straight sets. That performance will help him get ready for even tougher challenges ahead. Jiri Lehecka is a devastating player and can rush anyone with his power, but to beat Djokovic he needs to be extremely consistent. I can see him getting a set but not anymore if Djokovic shows up again.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4
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Tommy Paul vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Jim: Long rallies may well be the order of the day here. Both are excellent athletes, but while they have weapons, neither is the type of player likely to blow an opponent off the court. One suspects legal craft will come into play as a result. Ultimately though, Tommy Paul is simply the better and more consistent player. It may well be close, but the American should have the advantage.

Prediction: Paul in 5

Damian: Davidovich Fokina has just pulled off two consecutive comebacks from 0-2 down, and while he will be tired, he also hasn’t had much reason to feel confident about his game and mentality for a while now. But it is very likely the end of the road here. Paul is just that much better athletically and can match him in the shooting department, giving Davidovich Fokina some room to work with. And that space is almost completely gone after two long games.

Prediction: Paul in 4

Ateet: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made another magnificent comeback from two sets down to take down Jakub Mensik. The Spaniard saved two match points along the way and got better and better as the match progressed. Paul was clinical in his third round match and will be looking for a similar performance against Davidovich Fokina. Paul has never lost to the Spaniard before and should take this one against a likely tired Davidovich Fokina.

Prediction: Paul in 4

Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper

Jim: At least Carlos Alcaraz looked lethal in the third round, dropping a set to Nuno Borges, and Jack Draper has beaten him before – and on a grass court, a surface the Spaniard probably prefers to the fast hard courts in Melbourne. But over the course of five sets, it’s hard to see Draper managing to surpass or outlast the Spaniard. Especially after spending so much time on the field.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 3rd

Damian: This wasn’t likely to end up being particularly close either way, but a fresh Draper might have been a good candidate to test Alcaraz. The Brit deserves a lot of credit for what he did in the off-season with his specified training that took his fitness and heat resistance to a whole new level. But there’s just no way he’ll have enough in the tank after those three five-setters, and Alcaraz will make him suffer.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4th

Ateet: Alcaraz dropped his first set of the tournament against Borges, but it was still a great performance from the Spaniard. His serve is working beautifully and now he has a chance to get revenge on Draper, who defeated him in straight sets last year on grass. Draper has played three five-setters and I’m not sure how fit he’ll be. He can keep this close if he can serve well, but I don’t expect more from him.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4th
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Alexander Zverev vs Ugo Humbert

Jim: This should be a real test for Alexander Zverev. He beat Ugo Humbert very convincingly in their most recent meeting in the final at Bercy at the end of last year, but one suspects the occasion got the better of Humbert that day. He should explain himself better here. However, Zverev hits the ball exceptionally cleanly and serves excellently. Expect him to overpower Humbert.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Damian: Their last meeting in Paris was a little misleading, Humbert was extremely tired after his efforts that week. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good match. Zverev hasn’t lost to a left-hander in nearly two years, and that makes sense – the usual advantages of spins and serves out wide don’t bother him with the elite backhand he possesses. It will be an uphill battle for the Frenchman and it is not Zverev’s time to leave the event just yet.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Ateet: This will be a rematch of the Paris Masters final, with Humbert hoping for revenge. Zverev has been strong so far and is yet to drop a set, but Humbert’s game could cause him difficulties. Humbert was outplayed in the Paris Masters final, but I expect a better match from him. However, I can’t see him beating the German, who has an incredible record against left-handed players.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images