The Australian Open second-round matches are underway. Here are two ATP matches happening late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning (EST) that are must-see television if you can stay awake.
1. Taylor Fritz vs. Cristian Garin
American Taylor Fritz and Chilean Cristian Garin have met three times before but never at the Australian Open. Fritz owns the head-to-head series 2-1. All of their previous meetings were on outdoor clay courts, so this will be their first hardcourt match.
Fritz, 27, became the 2024 US Open finalist last season, achieving a career milestone. He is the World No. 4 and has won eight career ATP titles. Garin, 28, turned pro in 2011, has five ATP titles, and was World No. 17 in 2021. He got into the Australian Open main draw by qualifying.
Former top 20 Cristian Garín is the first player to pass the #AusOpen 2025 qualifying. Crowd is happy. pic.twitter.com/osZSjkLR0N
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 9, 2025
Taylor Fritz is the top-ranked American and leads a contingent of US men who want to break the winless cycle at Grand Slams. Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, and teenager Alex Michelsen who upset Stefanos Tsitsipas are leading the charge.
2. Holger Rune vs. Matteo Berrettini
Before Jannik Sinner’s rise, the top Italian tennis player was Matteo Berrettini. The 28-year-old won 10 ATP titles and achieved a career-high World No. 6 ranking in 2022. He is the 2021 Wimbledon finalist. Injuries have been his unfortunate opponent in recent years.
Holger Rune, 21, has never been advanced beyond a Grand Slam quarterfinal. His best finish at the Australian Open was in the third round in 2023. Rune has four ATP titles and achieved his highest ranking of World No. 4 in August 2023.
Rune leads the head-to-head with Berrettini 3-1, but it is worth noting that one of those wins came via retirement in 2023 as Berrettini’s injury issues were mounting.
Holger Rune won both meetings in 2024, but Berrettini is a dangerous player who is as healthy as he has been in years. He will challenge Rune in their first meeting at the Australian Open.
Watch these entertaining Australian Open matches on ESPN and ESPN+.
