The 2025 Australian Open's opening round promises to be full of fun, with two accomplished Americans facing off: Taylor Fritz and Jenson Brooksby. Coming into this match, the 4th-seeded Fritz was on the back of an excellent start to the season and looks for revenge after losing his previous match to Brooksby. At the same time, Brooksby attempts to get back center stage and show people he still exists. The coming together of contrasts in style, along with a shared hunger to move forward, will make this Round of 128 clash compelling.
Claim Welcome BonusTaylor Fritz
Coming into the Australian Open, 4th-ranked Taylor Fritz brings a strong start to 2025. He's 4-1 on the year and fresh off of a hard-fought win against Hubert Hurkacz at the United Cup. The American was a quarterfinalist in Melbourne last year and has shown he can shine bright on the quick hard courts Down Under.
The game of Fritz is all about his strong serve and consistent baseline play. His career stats, 60% first serves in, 76% first serve points won, and 63% break points saved, back that he can always dominate with his serve and hold under pressure. His return game is still a weak point, considering the 27% first serve return points won rate. Against someone like Brooksby, who loves to counterpunch his opponents, it will be very important for Fritz to dictate the rallies.
Jenson Brooksby
Jenson Brooksby has always been considered an uncommon tennis player, and this makes him able to frustrate the best of them on the tour. Unseeded, his career stats tell the story of a guy with a really strong return game-32% first serve return points won and 43% break points converted-to cause many upsets.
Brooksby's last Australian Open appearance in 2023 ended at the third round, but his steady baseline play and tactical variety make him a dangerous opponent. He hasn't played a competitive match since that loss to Tommy Paul, so a question mark remains over his form coming into this tournament. His lone head-to-head win over Fritz at the 2021 US Open does suggest, though, that he knows how to outwit his compatriot in big matches.
Head to Head: Brooksby leads 1-0
His sole previous meeting against Fritz was a memorable one. At the 2021 US Open, Brooksby sent shockwaves with a stunning 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Fritz in four sets, demonstrating how he could work through lengthy rallies before delivering on crucial moments. With Fritz a far more mature player from that encounter, the result nevertheless serves to give Brooksby a much-needed boost of confidence ahead of the Australian Open meeting.
Expert Betting Tips
This is a real contrast of styles, with the powerful Fritz against the finesse player Brooksby. Fritz will want to dominate with his serving and the forehand side, trying to keep Brooksby back. However, Brooksby might well be able to stretch enough rallies out to take advantage of Fritz's poor return game.
Key factors to watch:
Fritz's Serve: Will Fritz keep his first-serve percentage high and get those easy points?
Brooksby's Return Game: Could Brooksby's returning game create problems for Fritz's rhythm?
Baseline Exchanges: Who will come out on top in long rallies?
- Over 27.5 Games @ 1.56 Odds
- Over 28.5 Total Games @ 1.76 Odds
- Brooksby to Win a Set Yes 2.62 Odds
Other predictions
