We conclude the first round on Day 3, featuring 19-year-old Australian young gun Maya Joint, while Dane Sweeny takes on veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils.
LEG 1 – Raphael Collignon To Win a Set
Collignon emerged as a surprise packet late in 2025 and carried that form into the new season with a quarter-final run in Brisbane.
Now ranked a career-high 72 in the world, the Belgian has beaten De Minaur, Ruud, Davidovich Fokina, Dimitrov and Shapovalov on hard courts over the past six months.
I’m not fully convinced by world number five Lorenzo Musetti on hard courts. While the Italian should win, Collignon looks capable of taking a set and making this competitive.
LEG 2 – Hurkacz vs Bergs Over 3.5 Sets
Hubert Hurkacz returns from an extended injury layoff and showed positive signs at the United Cup with wins over Zverev and Fritz, but there are still question marks over his durability in best-of-five matches.
He faces a dangerous opponent in Zizou Bergs. The Belgian is ranked 46th in the world, reached the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals in October and picked up wins over Auger-Aliassime and Mensik at the United Cup.
Expect multiple tie-breaks in a match that could stretch deep, which suits the underdog Bergs.
LEG 3 – Maya Joint To Win a Set
It’s a big ask for 18-year-old Tereza Valentova, who enters as favourite against Australian Maya Joint.
There’s plenty of hype around the Czech, ranked 60 in the world, but Joint is seeded significantly higher at this Australian Open and will have the home crowd firmly behind her.
Even if Valentova wins, Joint should be able to claim at least one set, with the Czech potentially overwhelmed by the occasion.
LEG 4 – Sweeny vs Monfils Over 3.5 Sets
Dane Sweeny came through qualifying to reach his second Australian Open main draw. Last year, he pushed Francisco Cerundolo to five sets.
He now faces 39-year-old Gael Monfils, who arrives underdone and out of form. The Frenchman has won just one of his last 10 matches, with that lone victory requiring five sets at Wimbledon.
This won’t be straightforward for Monfils. Expect the Australian to take at least one set.
