Rod Laver Arena
Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[20]
Ranked outside the top 100 and with no matches prior to the Australian Open won this year, not even in the qualifying draws, Sevastova shouldn’t be able to beat Ivanovic. The Serb is facing a tough moment however, and she will certainly give something away. Probably not enough to lose the match.
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) vs. Garbine Muguruza (ESP)[3]
Hopefully Kirsten will be coming at the net to make the match more entertaining. After watching Muguruza playing in the first round, it is hard to believe she could be losing anytime soon. With Azarenka she is the favourite to reach the final in the bottom half of the draw.
Sam Groth (AUS) vs. Andy Murray (GBR)[2]
Murray has already faced Groth’s serve in Davis Cup. Already against Zverev, the Brit seemed focused and on form. Andy should win in three sets, possibly lose one set in a tie-break.
David Ferrer (ESP)[8] vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
This could be Lleyton’s farewell to tennis. Something tells me he is not ready for it yet. Let’s forecast another win for Hewitt…
Julia Goerges (GER) vs. Karolina Pliskova (CZE)[9]
Pliskova faces a player that has her same style of playing, but not as much power. The Czech should win easily in two.
Margaret Court Arena
Gael Monfils (FRA)[23] vs. Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
Not an easy match for Monfils, especially having to play a compatriot and friend. The 23rd seed should come out on top, but could probably lose one set on his way to victory.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[14] vs. Danka Kovinic (MNE)
Victoria is on a roll this year and World No.54 Kovinic will hardly manage to keep up with Azarenka’s rhythm, let alone cause an upset.
Madison Keys (USA)[15] vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
Angelique Kerber (GER)[7] vs. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Kerber slightly tested, but should win in two sets.
Bernard Tomic (AUS)[16] vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Bolelli last year played a solid season, but this season he seems back to being too inconsistent. Tomic shouldn’t have too many problems in beating the Italian, who could possibly win a set.
Hisense Arena
Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. John Isner (USA)[10]
Isner should manage to edge the Spaniard in straight sets, thanks to his serve and better state of form.
Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[19] vs. Laura Siegemund (GER)
Jankovic can lose to anyone these days, if she has a bad day on the court. The Serb should be too much of a good player anyway for the German, who won in Melbourne her first match in a Grand Slam main draw.
Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)[4]
An entertaining match hopefully, and definitively one to watch close. Wawrinka should be tested, but come out on top in four sets.
Show Court No.2
Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs. Elina Svitolina (UKR)[18]
Svitolina can be inconsistent, but she should be able to advance in two sets.
Milos Raonic (CAN)[13] vs. Tommy Robredo (ESP)
A tougher test for Brisbane winner Raonic. The Canadian should manage to keep Robredo far from the baseline, cutting the rallies short to prevail in four sets.
Alizé Cornet (FRA) vs. Shuai Zhang (CHN)
The Chinese has won the match of her life against Halep in the first round, but Cornet should prove to be too solid. The French is in great form after the win in Hobart and has the confidence she needs to go far in Melbourne now.
Jack Sock (USA)[25] vs. Lukas Rosol (CZE)
This could be an interesting matchup and not an easy one for Sock. Jack already struggled in the first round against promising rising star Fritz, but Rosol isn’t someone to give matches away for free. A tough 4-set battle, possible a 5-setter, and Sock could end up losing it.
Show Court No.6
Joao Sousa (POR)[32] vs. Santiago Giraldo (COL)
Despite losing in the first round to Fognini, Sousa showed a solid game on hard courts in Auckland. The Portuguese should advance to the third round.
Feliciano Lopez (ESP)[18] vs. Guido Pella (ARG)
Not really a test for Feliciano, who should be able to close the match in three or four sets maximum.
Annika Beck (GER) vs. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)[11]
Here is a chance for Timea to do well in Australia, where she has the third round as her best result. A win today means she has equalled her best performance in Melbourne, but she could go further, if she were to face Jankovic next.
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)[21] vs. Tatjana Maria (GER)
Not really a tough test for the Russian, who likes to play in Australia. Makarova should win in two.
Show Court No.8
Johanna Konta (GBR) vs. Saisai Zheng (CHN)
Konta was impressive in her win over Venus Williams in the first round. All is set for the Brit to repeat herself, and she shouldn’t fail her chances, just as she did in New York few months ago.
Denisa Allertova (CZE) vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER)[30]
Lisicki should use her serve to win the match in straight sets.
Tim Smyczek (USA) vs. Viktor Troicki (SRB)[21]
Sydney winner Troicki the favourite against the American. Viktor is in splendid form and can go farther deep in the draw.
Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)[30]
After the record marathon won against Gulbis, the French could be tired and face fatigue, especially in the heat of Melbourne. This could be an upset.
