Australian Open Round 1: Nakashima vs. van de Zandschulp, Auger-Aliassime vs. Borges Predictions
The first round of the 2026 Australian Open features two intriguing matchups. American Brandon Nakashima is set to compete against Botic van de Zandschulp, while Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded seventh, will face Nuno Borges.
Match Previews for Australian Open Round 1
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Nuno Borges
Felix Auger-Aliassime seeks to build on a strong finish to his 2025 season. He ended the year ranked among the top ten, highlighted by a semifinal appearance at the U.S. Open. Despite his talent on hard courts, the Australian Open has been a challenging event for him.
Nuno Borges, currently ranked 46th in the world, is Auger-Aliassime’s first-round opponent. Known for his consistency, Borges will face a tough challenge. He will need to rely on Auger-Aliassime to underperform, as Borges lacks the power to disrupt the Canadian if he plays at his normal level.
- Predicted Winner: Auger-Aliassime
- Cheryl’s Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3 sets
- Ricky’s Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4 sets
Brandon Nakashima vs. Botic van de Zandschulp
Brandon Nakashima has started 2026 on a positive note, reaching the finals of a Brisbane warm-up event, although he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev. With a ranking of 30th in the world, Nakashima aims for his first victory at the Australian Open, having previously lost in the first round on three occasions.
His opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp, ranks 75th and has struggled to find form since 2024. Although Nakashima has a poor record at this tournament, his current momentum makes him the favorite to win this matchup.
- Predicted Winner: Nakashima
- Cheryl’s Pick: Nakashima in 3 sets
- Ricky’s Pick: Nakashima in 3 sets
These matches are crucial for both players as they attempt to navigate through the early rounds of the prestigious Australian Open tournament.
