Australian Open R1 previews and predictions: Nakashima vs. van de Zandschulp, Auger-Aliassime vs. Borges

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The first round continues at the Australian Open with American Brandon Nakashima facing Botic van de Zandschulp on Monday. Top Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the seventh seed, goes up against Nuno Borges.

(7) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Nuno Borges

Following a miserable first half of the 2025 season, Felix Auger-Aliassime came on to close out the year in the top 10 again, with a particularly impressive run at the U.S. Open — where he made the semifinals. The Canadian has a good game for hard courts, although the Australian Open hasn’t been a particularly successful Grand Slam for him.

First-round opponent Nuno Borges, ranked 46th in the world, is a solid, consistent player — but he will have to depend on FAA to help him out. He simply doesn’t have the firepower to trouble Auger-Aliassime if the world No. 8 is playing up to his normal standard.

Cheryl pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3

Ricky pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4

(27) Brandon Nakashima vs. Botic van de Zandschulp

American Brandon Nakashima has already started off 2026 with success. The world No. 30 made his way to the final at the warmup event in Brisbane a couple weeks ago. He lost there to former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev. Nakashima is still looking for his first win in Melbourne, having lost in the first round in each of his three previous appearances — but he is an improved player now.

Still, his Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp has been off the boil since 2024. He is ranked 75th in the world — and plays like it, to be quite honest. Nakashima has way more upside despite the fact that he is 0-3 all time at the Australian Open.

Cheryl pick: Nakashima in 3

Ricky pick: Nakashima in 3