Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka will face off in an all-American battle in the second round of the ATP Adelaide International. Who will reach the quarterfinals?
ATP Adelaide Day 3 Predictions
Tomas Machac vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: Halys 1-0 Machac
Halys is 3-0 in Adelaide after backing up his successful qualifying run with a clinical 6-3 6-4 win over Jacob Fearnley in the main draw. Machac is also on the board in this brand new season after seeing off Australia’s James Duckworth 6-3 6-3. Halys was on his way to victory against an ailing Machac when they met at last year’s French Open. The Czech was forced to retire while trailing by a set and a break. Machac’s physical tools are elite, and he can produce sublime tennis when his body runs uninterrupted.
Prediction: Machac in 2
Aleksandar Vukic vs Andrea Vavassori
Head-to-head: first meeting
This will be an interesting all-qualifier battle. Vukic, who before this week had never won a main draw match in Adelaide in two tries, scored a stunning win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. It looked like the Greek star had turned a corner at the United Cup, but could not convert any of the four break points he created. With neither player dropping their serve, the match was ultimately decided in two tiebreaks and Vukic lost just two points on his serve in the tiebreaks as he clutched it out in straight sets. Vavassori was equally impressive in tight moments in knocking out Gabriel Diallo for a rare Top 50 win. Both players are thriving, but Vavassori might have a slight edge. The Italian’s return positioning and net instincts make him unpredictable and give him the cushion he needs to consistently pressure Vukic’s serve.
Prediction: Vavassori in 3
Jaume Munar vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 4-1 Munar
Jaume Munar’s rapid improvement on hard courts over the past year has flown under the radar, and the Spaniard deserves a lot of credit for adjusting his game. He was on the cusp of breaking the Top 30 after hitting double-digit wins on the surface last year. Cerundolo had a largely disappointing Grand Slam season in 2025, but he was consistent elsewhere. He won 38 matches in total and currently holds a Top 20 spot. Munar’s improvement on quick surfaces cannot be overlooked, but I think Cerundolo’s game still carries more punch and willingness to take the ball early.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Tommy Paul vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: Paul 1-1 Opelka
Tommy Paul has one match under his belt this season. He lost in three tight sets to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Brisbane. It was his first competitive outing since he crashed out of the 2025 US Open third round. He received a bye in the opening round of Adelaide. Opelka enjoyed a productive second half of last season, which enabled him to climb back into the top 100 of the ATP rankings. Paul has eased his body into high-level competition, and he looked sharp in Brisbane. In the end, he came in within a whisker of winning the match. Opelka lives on serve and tiebreaks, but once Paul gets a few neutral rallies, his exceptional footwork and passing shots could help him secure decisive openings.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
