Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo Australian Open Prediction 1/23/2026 Today’s Tennis Picks

Andrey Rublev and Francisco Cerundolo clash in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open. The match is scheduled for Friday, January 23. Here’s our Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo prediction. This preview will also include an Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo pick.

Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo Preview

Andrey Rublev beat Jaume Faria in the second round. Despite limited knowledge about his opponent, Rublev was not intimidated and found solutions to down the World No. 151 from Portugal in four sets. Rublev took the first two sets without dropping his serve. But Faria broke him for the first time in the third game of the third set and the Portuguese consolidated that lead until he won the set 6-4. In the fourth set, Rublev had the chance to seal the match at 5-4, when he held a match point on his serve. But he was broken. It was only a short-lived comeback though as Rublev got the decisive break in the 12th game to win the set 7-5.

Rublev hit 43 winners to 30 unforced errors in the victory. That included 6 aces and 3 double faults. Rublev landed 69% of first serves in play and won 76% of first serve points (65/86). Rublev won 56% of second serve points (22/39) and saved 10 of 12 break points in the match. Rublev will be chasing a spot in the last 16 of the Australian Open for the first time since 2024.

Francisco Cerundolo recorded his second straight sets win of the week. Cerundolo began the tournament by beating Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to pick up his first win of the 2026 season. In the second round, Cerundolo easily dispatched Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in under two hours. 

In the victory, Cerundolo hit 31 winners and 22 unforced errors. That included 10 aces and 1 double fault. Cerundolo landed 58% of first serves in play and won 79% of first serve points (30/38). Cerundolo won 68% of second serve points (19/28) and saved two of three break points in the match. Cerundolo has never been to the round of 16 of the Australian Open in his career.

Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo Head-To-Head

Rublev and Cerundolo have played each other four times at the tour level. The Argentine leads 3-1 and won their only hard-court meeting at the 2024 Paris Masters in two tiebreaks.

Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo Prediction

The head-to-head is slightly lopsided but three of those four meetings were contested on clay, where Cerundolo picked up two wins. This will be an intriguing forehand battle, but I think Rublev hits through the court better and doesn’t overthink points. Cerundolo has the heavier spin and variety and he can get loose when rallies extend. I also think Rublev builds points with more efficiency, and he has a more reliable backhand. Lean Rublev, but this will be tight.

Nur Said's Pick: Andrey Rublev in four sets