Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Vukic: 2026 Brisbane International Preview & Prediction
World No. 30 Frances Tiafoe will kick off his 2026 tennis season at the Brisbane International. He is set to compete against World No. 84 Aleksandar Vukic in the first round of the tournament. Tiafoe had a challenging 2025, finishing with a record of 26 wins out of 49 matches. In contrast, Vukic secured only 15 victories in 44 main-draw matches, ending the year with a second-round exit at the Moselle Open.
Match Details
- Date: January 4, 2026
- Tournament: Brisbane International 2026
- Round: First Round (Round of 32)
- Venue: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, Australia
- Category: ATP 250
- Surface: Outdoor Hard
- Live Telecast: Tennis Channel, TSN, Sky Sports
Head-to-Head Record
Tiafoe and Vukic have faced each other twice on the ATP Tour, with their head-to-head record tied at 1-1. In their initial meeting, Vukic won in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(1), during the 2024 quarterfinals in Almaty. However, Tiafoe rebounded in their subsequent encounter, claiming victory 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at the Canadian Open last year.
Match Predictions
Currently, Tiafoe ranks 54 spots higher than Vukic, but the Australian has previously beaten him in straight sets. Tiafoe is known for his powerful play and serves; he recorded 33 aces during his two matches at the Australian Open last year. This season, he aims to earn free points through his serve.
Vukic, too, is an effective server, having amassed 71 aces during his four matches in Australia last year. Notably, his lowest ace tally in a single match during the Australian Open was 17. Both players prefer aggressive styles of play, making mental resilience crucial for success.
Crowd Dynamics
The crowd at the Queensland Tennis Centre may favor Vukic, but Tiafoe has a knack for winning the audience over wherever he competes. After a lengthy break following the US Open, Tiafoe has a solid chance to dominate if he performs at his peak level.
In summary, Tiafoe is favored to win in straight sets based on current expectations and performances.
