Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are part of the Day 1 schedule at the Australian Open. Djokovic is beginning his title defense against Hyeon Chung, while Federer is facing Nikoloz Basilashvili.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Hyeon Chung
At no slam has Djokovic been more dominant than he has been at the Australian Open. The world No. 1 is a five-time champion of this event, and four of his titles have come in the last five seasons. His only loss during this stretch has resulted from a marathon five-setter against Stan Wawrinka during quarterfinal action in 2014. Based on both his recent history Down Under and his current form, Djokovic is obviously a huge favorite to lift the winner’s trophy once again. The Serb won his last five tournaments of 2015 and he began this year with a title in Doha.
Up first for Djokovic on Monday is a first-ever meeting with Chung. At just 19 years old, he is already up to No. 51 in the world. His 2015 campaign included 12 ATP-level match victories, four Challenger titles, and two Challenger runner-ups. Chung warmed up for the season’s first Grand Slam by playing in Brisbane, where he beat Sam Groth before succumbing to Marin Cilic 7-5, 7-6(3). The Korean is no stranger to the big stage, as he lost 10-8 in the fifth set to Pierre-Hugues Herbert last summer at Wimbledon and then reached the second round of the U.S. Open (lost to Wawrinka in three straight tiebreakers). Chung is by no means a first-round pushover, but Djokovic should cruise in straight sets.
Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 8-10 games
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(3) Roger Federer vs. Nikoloz Basilashvili
Federer and Basilashvili will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Monday. Basilashvili is a 23-year-old Georgian who registers at No. 117 in the world. He was 104th at the time of the Australian Open deadline and was the second-to-last man to gain direct entry. Basilashvili, who has not yet played this season, reached the 2015 Wimbledon third round by upsetting Feliciano Lopez in five sets. He has not won an ATP-level match since–aside from one retirement (courtesy of Aleksandr Nedovyesov in Kuala Lumpur).
Looking for his fifth Australian Open winner’s trophy and first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012, Federer is coming off a stellar second half of 2015 in which he finished runner-up to Djokovic at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the World Tour Finals while triumphing at the Cincinnati Masters in the process. The 34-year-old Swiss began this season in Brisbane, where he fell to Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4 in the final. Federer may not be playing quite as well as he was last summer, but he is unlikely to lose more than eight or nine games to such an inexperienced opponent.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 8-10 games
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Fed in three and Nole in three both losing 5-7 games
Nole and Fed win.
5-7 games for Chung
8-10 games for Basilashvili
Chung has been impressive, the line calling not so much. Nole has been good, but just a notch below what I think is his absolute peak level of play.
Chung won 9 games. That’s pretty good against Novak. Simon did win in 4 sets. I see that Karlovic lost in the first round. He retired.
Karlovic has gone out to Delbonis retiring in the 3rd set.
Dimi’s retro sleeveless shirt is getting the thumbs down. No one wears sleeveless shirts like Rafa.
nadline10 (AT 7:36 AM),
There will be at least one more sleeveless guy on the court today.
Yes – ‘Kurious’.