The Australian Open draw has produced some potentially thrilling match-ups, especially with several dangerous players coming into Melbourne unseeded due to injury troubles. Here’s a look at each quarter of the men’s and women’s draws.
The Djokovic quarter
First round to watch: Dominic Thiem v Roberto Bautista Agut
Quarter-final pick: Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic.
The Wawrinka quarter
Lurking in Stan Wawrinka’s section is Alexandr Dolgopolov who is a possible headache en route to the last eight while David Ferrer v Kei Nishikori is a fourth round marathon just waiting to happen.
First round to watch: Kei Nishikori v Nicolas Almagro
Quarter-final pick: Stan Wawrinka v David Ferrer.
The Nadal quarter
Rafael Nadal v Mikhail Youzhny in round one looks tough considering Youzhny has beaten him four times, but not since 2008. Lots of young threats in this quarter like Bernard Tomic and Jiri Vesely.
First round to watch: Thanasi Kokkinakis v Ernests Gulbis
Quarter-final pick: Rafael Nadal v Bernard Tomic.
The Federer quarter
Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and Ivo Karlovic… Roger Federer has a monster quarter. Whoever survives it might as well just win the trophy.
First round to watch: Grigor Dimitrov v Dustin Brown
Quarter-final pick: Andy Murray v Roger Federer.
The Serena quarter
Tennis irony sees Serena Williams share a quarter with Garbine Muguruza and Alize Cornet – both have beaten her in slams last year. Caroline Wozniacki has a daunting second round against Victoria Azarenka or Sloane Stephens.
First round to watch: Victoria Azarenka v Sloane Stephens
Quarter-final pick: Garbine Muguruza v Caroline Wozniacki.
The Kvitova quarter
Petra Kvitova has Sam Stosur and Andrea Petkovic as possible fourth round opposition, but she seems in form and should come through unscathed.
First round to watch: Flavia Pennetta v Camila Giorgi
Quarter-final pick: Petra Kvitova v Venus Williams.
The Halep quarter
Simona Halep has a relatively clear path to the last eight but No5 seed Ana Ivanovic has the likes of Karolina Pliskova and Ekaterina Makarova to deal with.
First round to watch: Sabine Lisicki v Kristina Mladenovic
Quarter-final pick: Simona Halep v Ana Ivanovic.
The Sharapova quarter
Brisbane champion Maria Sharapova has 16th-seeded tough lefty Lucie Safarova as a potential last 16 clash. Eugenie Bouchard could face trouble against the likes of Angelique Kerber and Carla Suarez Navarro.
First round to watch: Svetlana Kuznetsova v Caroline Garcia
Quarter-final pick: Maria Sharapova v Carla Suarez Navarro
