Australian Open: J.J. Wolf vs Jordan Thompson Tennis Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Australian Open as J.J. Wolf takes on Jordan Thompson in the Round of 128 on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

In his first main draw at the Australian Open, J.J. Wolf is eyeing a big upset over seasoned campaigner and home favorite Jordan Thompson. Will the American register his first win on his debut Down Under?

2022 was a breakthrough season for J.J. Wolf on so many levels. He reached his first ATP final, peaked at a career-high ranking of No. 56, and won a match outside US soil for the first time in his career. Now Wolf will be looking to build on those accomplishments having laid down the foundation. He’s made a good start in 2023, scoring a high-quality win over Adrian Mannarino in Auckland en route to the Round of 16. Now he is set to make his Australian Open main draw debut when he takes on Jordan Thompson.

Jordan Thompson, by contrast, will be playing in his 10th main draw at the Australian Open. It’s his home slam, so you can’t expect anything less. The Sydney native has entered as a wild card numerous times but didn’t need one this year as his ranking was sufficient to get an automatic spot. Will he serve up his first win in Melbourne since 2020?

J.J. Wolf and Jordan Thompson have not played each other on the ATP Tour. Tuesday’s match at the Australian Open will be their first official meeting. Wolf has clearly improved as a player in the last 18 months and comes into this match as a slight favorite. Thompson has not done anything noteworthy in the build-up to his home slam. If the Aussie allows Wolf time and space to unleash from the forehand wing he’s asking for trouble. That is the American’s signature shot, and as long as he finds his range it will be explosive.