Reilly Opelka vs. Gauthier Onclin Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction, Odds and Tip

Game details

Device: (PR) Reilly Opelka vs. (Q) Gauthier Onclin

Date: January 12, 2025

Tournament: Australian Open 2025

Round: First Round (Round of 128)

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Category: Grand Slam

Surface: Hard (outside)

Prize money: A$86,500,000

Live broadcast: USA – ESPN & Tennis Channel | Great Britain – Eurosport | India – Sony Sports & Sony Liv

Preview between Reilly Opelka and Gauthier Onclin

Big-serving American Reilly Opelka will look to start his Australian Open season with a win when he takes on Belgian qualifier Gauthier Onclin in the first round. Opelka made a comeback to the Tour last year after being sidelined for more than a year due to injury. He played only 18 matches in 2024, but reached a semifinal at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport.

However, Opelka had a great start to the 2025 season at the Brisbane International. The American reached the final with victories over Matteo Arnaldi (7-6 (9), 7-6 (4)), Novak Djokovic (7-6 (6), 6-3) and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (6-6). 3, 7-6 (4)). In the final against Jiri Lehecka, the American was eliminated in the first set with a 1:4 deficit.

Gauthier Onclin has played most of his tennis in recent years on the Challenger Tour and the ITF circuit. The Belgian struggled to make a name for himself on the ATP Tour. However, he reached seven finals and won three titles at the Challenger and ITF events last year.

Onclin has shown good form in the main draw of the Australian Open. In the first qualifying round he won 1:6, 6:0, 7:6 (7) over Roman Andres Burruchaga. In the next round he won 3:6, 7:6 (5), 6:1 against Aleksandar Kovacevic. In the last round, the Belgian prevailed against Mackenzie Mcdonald and won 6:7 (7), 7:6 (5) and 6:1, which meant he moved into the main round.

Reilly Opelka vs. Gauthier Onclin in a direct duel

This is the first time that the two players have competed against each other on the tour, so the head-to-head score is 0-0.

Reilly Opelka vs Gauthier Onclin odds

(Odds come from BetMGM)

Reilly Opelka vs Gauthier Onclin prediction

Opelka was unable to make it into the majors. Before the 2025 edition, the American has only won four matches at the Australian Open. However, he has won three hard court titles in his career so far, the last of which was the 2022 Dallas Open, where he beat Jenson Brooksby 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in the final.

This will be the first Grand Slam match for Gauthier Onclin. Since last year, however, the 23-year-old Belgian has been on a 13-match winning streak, winning each of his qualifying matches despite coming from behind each time.

Given both players’ playing styles, the game could see multiple tiebreakers. Given Opelka’s form and experience, the American should come through and qualify for the next round.

Choose – Opelka wins in straight sets