Taylor Fritz vs Hugo Gaston Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 15/01/2024, 07:55  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/01/2024 at 08:55 in ATP Australian Open Predictions

Hugo Gaston bids to cause a surprise in the second round of the Australian Open. The French player takes on 12th seed Taylor Fritz and it's not somethng he'd have expected a few days ago. That's because Gaston was beaten by Lloyd Harris in the final qualifying round, only winning two games. With players withdrawing from this first Grand Slam of the year, Gaston was given a place in the man draw as a lucky loser. He made the most of it by beating Roberto Carballes Baena in four sets. That win has taken Gaston to 85th in the live rankings, a rise of 12 places. He's in the second round of this tournament for the first time in his career. His best Grand Slam performances have come on clay at Roland Garros with the fourth round reached in 2020.

Taylor Fritz reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2022. Last year saw him lose at this stage to Alexei Popyrin. He'll be hoping to do as well as in last year's US Open when getting to the last eight. Fritz is up a place to 11th in the live rankings after his first round win over Facundo Diaz Acosta. It was a tough match though and he had to come from two sets to one down to get the victory. This is his second event of the new year having represented the US in the United Cup. He beat Cameron Norrie but lost to Alex de Minaur. We tip him to beat Gaston in straight sets to set up a third round tie against either 22nd seed Francisco Cerundolo or unseeded Fabio Marozsan.