There are only a few days remaining until the start of the Australian Open, but it’s a busy Wednesday on the cards at the warm-up Adelaide tournament. 16 male players will look to make a run at the ATP 250 event, with all of the second round matches scheduled for Wednesday.
This set of LWOT predictions features No. 1 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while the other four second round match previews for the men’s tournament are in a separate article.
ATP Adelaide Day 3 Predictions
Márton Fucsovics vs Alexander Shevchenko
Head-to-head: Shevchenko 1-0
Fucsovics had the slightly better 2025 season, and he ultimately comes into this matchup ranked 60 spots higher than Shevchenko. Shevchenko did win their only match on the clay courts of Kitzbuhel last year, though the Hungarian’s game is better suited for hard courts as an all-court player. Shevchenko does have more matches under his belt this week, due to qualifying for the main draw, but I see Fucsovics having the edge.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: 1-1
Adelaide No. 4 seed Griekspoor is on a slight losing run dating back to last October, but he’s faced some tough opponents, such as Alexander Zverev, along the way. Humbert won his first match of 2026 on Monday against compatriot Terence Atmane. Both of the pair’s matches have gone the distance, and they’re particularly known for staying strong under pressure. This match should come down to the better server, and I think Humbert will have the upper hand at the end of two close sets.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Valentin Vacherot
Head-to-head: First meeting
One could call Kokkinakis the prince of Adelaide. The Aussie has faced some brutal injury struggles, but always finds a way to bring healthy and exciting tennis to this tournament. He’s got a tough opponent on Wednesday, with Vacherot playing the best tennis of his career. While Kokkinakis stunned the higher-ranked Sebastian Korda in a third-set tiebreak in his opening match, I don’t think he’ll have the legs and matchplay experience to claim another upset. Vacherot will have to start the match off strong and swat away any opportunity for the partisan crowd to get involved.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: Hijikata 1-0
Hijikata won the pair’s only match at the 2024 US Open, while he similarly loves the home courts of Australia. He delighted fans in an Adelaide opening round win over fellow Aussie Tristan Schoolkate, but this match will be a big step up. While Davidovich Fokina lost his only match of the season in Brisbane, the Spaniard has had lots of time to rest and possesses more weapons than the home favorite. Expect a close match, but Davidovich Fokina’s serve and crafty game will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
