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Match Details
Fixture: (7) Novak Djokovic vs (26) Tomas Machac
Date: January 17, 2025
Tournament: Australian Open 2025
Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: A$ 96,500,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN & Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Sports & Sony LIV
Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac preview
Seventh seed Novak Djokovic will look to keep his hopes for an eleventh Melbourne title alive when he takes on 26th-seeded Tomas Machac in the third round.
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2025 began on a disappointing note for the Serb, as he lost 6-7 (3), 3-6 to Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinal of the Brisbane International. He then had a shaky start to this year's Australian Open as he lost the first set to American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round. However, he used his experience to turn the match around and eventually won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
In the next match, Djokovic faced Portuguese youngster Jaime Faria. The 10-time champion began on a routine note, taking the first set 6-1. However, his young opponent rallied to take the second set in a tiebreaker. The Serb maintained his composure and eventually won the match in four sets 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Tomas Machac began his 2025 season with a great campaign at the United Cup. He lost to Casper Ruud in the first match but won his next two matches against Hubert Hurkacz and Flavio Cobolli to take the Czech Republic to the semifinal. However, in the last-four clash against Taylor Fritz, Machac had to retire despite serving for the match.
The 26th seed began his campaign in Melbourne, by winning his first round match against India's Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-1, 7-5. He then survived a five-set epic against Reilly Opelka. The Czech player won a marathon match in the fifth set, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac head-to-head
The head-to-head between the two players is tied at 1-1. The last time the two met was at the 2024 Geneva Open. On that occasion, Machac won 6-4, 0-6, 6-1.
Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Machac prediction
Djokovic and Machac have played each other on a hard court only once in their careers, at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, with the Serb winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (1).
In that match, Djokovic won 65 percent of the serve points and 41 percent of the return points. He was comfortable while returning the Czech player's serve, especially the second serve.
Meanwhile, Machac won 59 percent of the serve points and 35 percent of the return points in that clash. However, the Czech player could only convert three out of the 10 break points he had during the match.
Djokovic has looked vulnerable in the first two rounds in Melbourne so far. If Machac can improve his break point conversion and take care of his serve, he has a realistic chance of causing an upset. However, Machac has a history of mid-match injuries and it will be interesting to see if he can recover after a long five-set match in the previous round.
Considering his significant experience, Djokovic will have a slight advantage in the upcoming match.
Pick- Djokovic to win in four sets
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