Australian Open: Fritz vs Basilashvili Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Australian Open as Taylor Fritz takes on Nikoloz Basilashvili in the Round of 128 on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Will Taylor Fritz become the first American man in 20 years to deliver a Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open? The big-serving Californian is in the form of his life and will open up against the hard-hitting, but volatile Nikoloz Basilashvili. Who will prevail?

Taylor Fritz reached the Round of 16 last year – his best showing yet at the Australian Open. But that would be the bare minimum we can expect from Taylor Fritz this time, as he goes in search of his first Grand Slam title. And on the back of a career-best year on the ATP Tour, maybe American tennis will see its first male champion to win in Major since 2003. Can Fritz make a statement of intent when he faces Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round?

Nikoloz Basilashvili, for his part, is looking for his first win of the season. But having drawn the short straw of taking on Taylor Fritz, we envisage that winless to continue. Basilashvili will need to overcome the odds and address his poor record in the Australian Open over the years. His last win came in 2020 when he defeated Soonwoo Kwon in the first round.

Taylor Fritz and Nikoloz Basilashvili are tied at 2-2 in their head-to-head. Their last meeting was on the hard courts of Indian Wells back in 2021, with Basilashvili winning in straight sets en route to the biggest final of his career. I think Fritz will likely turn the tables here. He is playing at such a high level leaving no room for mistakes. He’s also won a few close battles and sets including tiebreaks this year, so Basilshvili will absolutely need to play lights out to have any chance, and his best may not even be enough.