By Erik Gudris | Monday, January 18, 2016
Andy Murray, Venus Williams, and Lleyton Hewitt all aim to claim opening round wins on Day Two.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Each day we'll preview and predict results for several must-see Melbourne matches. Day 2 previews are here.
More: Federer Flies Into Second Round
(2) Andy Murray vs. Alexander Zverev
Margaret Court Arena (second match)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Last year’s finalist Murray will start his campaign for a first ever AO title against one of the rising stars of the ATP tour. Germany’s Alexander Zverev had a breakthrough 2015 season that included breaking into the top 100 and winning the ATP’s “Star of Tomorrow” award
Murray easily beat his opponent earlier this month at the Hopman Cup. But the tall German possess excellent ball-striking skills and could trouble Murray for some of the match.
The Pick: Murray in three sets
(8) Venus Williams vs. Johanna Konta
Rod Laver Arena (second match)
Head-to-head: Venus Leads 1-0
The veteran Williams enters as a top eight seed at a major for the first time in many years. Williams’ stellar 2015 season including winning three titles and that success has some picking her as a dark horse to perhaps win her first AO title.
But Williams has a potentially tricky first round opponent in unseeded Johanna Konta of the UK. Konta surged in the second half of last season that included a 21-match win streak. That streak ended at the hands of Williams in a tough three set quarterfinal battle in Wuhan, an event that Williams went on to win.
While Konta certainly has a solid game, this match will likely be all about Williams. Especially if Williams can use her big serve to good effect during the whole match.
The Pick: Williams in three sets
Lleyton Hewitt vs. James Duckworth
Rod Laver Arena (first night match)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lleyton Hewitt enters his 20th and last ever Australian Open as a huge sentimental favorite with this being his final career tournament. With the Aussie home crowd certainly ready to cheer him on for every point, it’s unfortunate that he has to play a fellow Aussie in the first round.
The 23-year-old Duckworth, who looks up to Hewitt as a mentor, admitted he will feel nervous and awkward to have to face the Aussie great. But he also plans to play his game and do his best. Though Duckworth is the higher ranked player, any pressure to win will certainly be on Hewitt to at least keep his retirement party in Melbourne going for one more night.
The Pick: Hewitt in Four Sets
Notable Matches to Keep an Eye On
No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal faces off against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a rematch of their classic 2009 AO semifinal that Nadal won in five sets.
A pair of all-American meetings on Court 14 will be worth checking out.
Coco Vandeweghe will face off against Madison Brengle who beat her opponent last year en route to reaching the fourth round. No. 25 seed Jack Sock, who reached the Auckland final, will face off against young Taylor Fritz who is one of the fastest rising players on the ATP Tour.
The complete order of play is here.