To reach the second qualifying round of the Australian Open, Dušan Lajović and Murphy Cassone both had to come through long three-set matches. According to the bookmakers, neither player has a significant advantage.
Dušan Lajović
The 35-year-old Dušan Lajović needed 3 hours 19 minutes and two tie-breaks to defeat world No. 243 Facundo Díaz Acosta (7:6, 5:7, 7:6). Compared with the 25-year-old Argentine, the veteran did not stand out in any particular aspect, except that he committed noticeably fewer unforced errors (36 compared with 55).
He is in decline: he played only 17 matches on the ATP Tour in 2025 and won just four of them. Recently he has preferred to compete on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Murphy Cassone
In the first round, the 23-year-old Murphy Cassone (No. 224) defeated his neighbour in the ATP Tour rankings, Hsu Yu-hsiou (No. 220), (3:6, 6:3, 6:4), although he spent less time on court (1 hour 58 minutes). The American also did not have a clear advantage, but he won the points in the key moments.
Despite already being at a respectable age for a tennis player, he has played only one match at ATP Tour level: in the round of 32 at the 2025 Washington Open (ATP 500) against Reilly Opelka (6:7, 7:6, 3:6).
Dušan Lajović vs Murphy Cassone Prediction
Back then, Murphy Cassone was competitive against world No. 74 Reilly Opelka. Against world No. 125 Dušan Lajović, he can also be competitive. Therefore, we are backing the lower seed with the handicap.
