The Australian Open begins on Sunday at Melbourne park and it should begin with a bang. Across the men’s and women’s draws, first-round action is loaded with mouth-watering matchups. Let’s take a look.
Andy Murray vs. (30) Tomas Martin Etcheverry – The only guarantee here is that this one is lasting more than five hours. Pick: Murray in 5.
(20) Adrian Mannarino vs. Stan Wawrinka – Wawrinka has played some of the best matches in AO history. Mannarino played arguably the best tiebreaker in AO history. This is going to be a fun one. Pick: Mannarino in 5.
Matteo Berrettini vs. (7) Stefanos Tsitsipas – Not too long ago this would have been a matchup worthy of an Australian Open semifinal. Given Berrettini’s current state, though, it may not amount to much. Pick: Tsitsipas in 3.
(17) Borna Coric vs. Frances Tiafoe – I doubt Coric is 100 percent, and even if he is Tiafoe generally plays well on the Grand Slam stage. Pick: Tiafoe in 4.
(10) Alex de Minaur vs. Milos Raonic – Raonic five or 10 years ago is not someone you wanted to play in the first round–if ever. Now, it should be a walk in the park for Demon. Pick: De Minaur in 3.
(21) Ugo Humbert vs. David Goffin – This is a dangerous match for Humbert, as Goffin has some confidence after qualifying for the main draw. Nonetheless, I’ll ride the hot hand in Humbert. Pick: Humbert in 4.
(13) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Marton Fucsovics – This is not an ideal first-round matchup for Dimitrov, but I have him in the final so let’s hope he takes care of business. Pick: Dimitrov in 4.
(27) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Dominic Thiem – This is going to be painful to watch. And unfortunately for whoever does watch it, it’s probably going five sets. Pick: Thiem in 5.
(1) Iga Swiatek vs. Sofia Kenin – One is an Australian Open champion. The other is Swiatek. It’s an amazing first-round matchup on paper, but the world No. 1 will still be way too good for Kenin. Pick: Swiatek in 2.
Danielle Collins vs. Angelique Kerber – The winner of Swiatek-Kenin faces the winner of Collins-Kerber in the second round. Wowzer. My guess is we get another Swiatek-Collins match in Melbourne. Pick: Collins in 3.
(18) Victoria Azarenka vs. Camilla Giorgi – This is going to be feisty–and loud. If the good Giorgi shows up, it could also be very high on quality. Pick: Azarenka in 3.
(3) Elena Rybakina vs. Karolina Pliskova – One is a former world No. 1. The other is Rybakina. In another blockbuster first-round showdown, a red-hot Rybakina should have a significant edge. Pick: Rybakina in 2.
(16) Carolina Garcia vs. Naomi Osaka – I’m expecting a roller-coaster ride with both players showing plenty of nerves. It’s a toss-up, but I’ll back Osaka’s comeback at the Grand Slam level to stay alive. Pick: Osaka in 3.
who ya got?