Australian Open: Rublev vs Rune Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Australian Open as Andrey Rublev takes on Holger Rune in the fourth round on Monday, January 23, 2023.

World No. 6 Andrey Rublev has the chance to put his poor pre-tournament form behind him as he eyes a place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. But the Russian could have his hands full when he squares off against Danish star Holger Rune. Who will prevail?

Andrey Rublev endured a mini-slump just before the Australian Open, losing two matches in successive weeks in Adelaide. But the Russian power hitter has quickly overcome that poor start to the season by winning a mouthwatering opener against wild card Dominic Thiem. He dropped a set against Emil Ruusuvuori but came through in four. And in his third-round match, Rublev snuffed the dangerous Dan Evans, a player who has been a thorn in his game in the past few years, to book a meeting against Holger Rune.

Holger Rune, for his part, is playing in the main draw of the Australian Open for just the second time. But the Danish star is more experienced and better prepared than when he was bundled out of the first round last year. Rune arrived in Melbourne this year seeded at No. 9, and has advanced into the third round without the loss of a set. Although he overcame a mighty scare when he rolled his ankle in his win over Ugo Humbert on Saturday.

Holger Rune leads Andrey Rublev 1-0 in their head-to-head. That meeting took place on the indoor hard courts in Bercy. Rune was on fire in that tournament as he went on to beat Djokovic in the final and clinch his first Masters 1000 title. The young Dane has since joined the conversation of Grand Slam contenders in 2023 and it is not a surprise he enters this match at the Australian Open as a slight favorite. Rublev possesses the power to hit through almost any player on the roster. Rune, however, is playing with vigor and energy. The Russian’s indifferent start to the year might just tilt the match in Rune’s favor.