Federer and Nadal in blockbuster start to Australian Open
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will both be in action on Day 1 as the Australian Open kicks off with a bang.
Nadal takes on Aussie wildcard James Duckworth during the day session, while Federer headlines the night session against Denis Istomin.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Must-see matches on Day 1
* James Duckworth (AUS) v 2-Rafael Nadal (ESP), Rod Laver Arena – Day
Duckworth, winning his place in the draw through last month’s wildcard playoff tournament, returns for a seventh Australian Open appearance. It is likely to be short after drawing the world No.2 in the first round; the 26-year-old hasn’t beaten a top-50 player in three years. But the Sydneysider will at least enjoy strong support on Rod Laver Arena and will give himself every chance after overcoming injuries that had ruined his 2017 and 2018 seasons.
* Astra Sharma (AUS) v Priscilla Hon (AUS), Court 7 – Day
At least one Australian will reach the second round at Melbourne Park thanks to this pairing of happy-to-be-here locals. Sharma, a 23-year-old from Western Australia, is competing in her first grand slam after defeating three higher-ranked Russians including former Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva in qualifying. Brisbane-based Hon returns to the Open as a wildcard entry three years after her first effort.
* 22-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) v Andy Murray (GBR), Melbourne Arena – Night
The tears and tributes have flowed for Sir Andy Murray since the well-loved Scot’s announcement of a looming retirement due to hip issues. The five-time Australian Open runner-up is playing through the pain and wants to get to Wimbledon for a farewell appearance but this meeting with the consistent Spaniard might be his last outing. For as long as he lasts, Murray will be feted by all and sundry.
* 15-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Luksika Kumkhum (THA), Margaret Court Arena – Night
Australia’s chief singles hope begins her campaign against Kumkhum, who had surprised at Melbourne Park last year by beating Belinda Bencic and reaching the third round. The pair have met at a grand slam before: the Thai beat Barty in 2016 Wimbledon qualifying. Since then, Barty has blossomed into Australia’s brightest female prospect since grand-slam winner Sam Stosur. Anything other than an easy win would shock.
* 6-Marin Cilic (CRO) v Bernard Tomic (AUS), Margaret Court Arena – Night
After enduring the humiliations of a failed 2018 qualifying mission, Tomic has quietly put in the hard yards to return to the world’s top 100 and the Australian Open main draw in 2019. His reward is a meeting last year’s finalist. Tomic and Cilic have met before at the Australian Open. In 2010, the Queenslander let slip a two-sets-to-one advantage to lose in five sets.
* 3-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v Alison van Uytvanck (BEL), Rod Laver Arena – Night
The popular Dane returns to Melbourne Park as a grand-slam champion and, for the first time, will contend with the pressure of defending a major. Wozniacki’s first assignment is Belgian van Uytvanck, who has never won a match at the Australian Open in four attempts. But, she climbed into the world’s top 50 last year after winning the Budapest Open. Van Uytvanck knocked Garbine Muguruza out of last year’s Wimbledon but Wozniacki’s class should prevail.
Monday’s order of play on main courts
ROD LAVER ARENA
30-Maria Sharapova (Russia) v Harriet Dart (Britain)
James Duckworth (Australia) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)
Polona Hercog (Slovenia) v 2-Angelique Kerber (Germany)
Not before 1700
Alison Van Uytvanck (Belgium) v 3-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland)
MARGARET COURT ARENA
14-Julia Goerges (Germany) v Danielle Collins (U.S.)
5-Sloane Stephens (U.S.) v Taylor Townsend (U.S.)
Not before 1500
27-Alex de Minaur (Australia) v Pedro Sousa (Portugal)
Not before 1900
15-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) v Luksika Kumkhum (Thailand)
6-Marin Cilic (Croatia) v Bernard Tomic (Australia)
MELBOURNE ARENA
5-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) v Adrian Mannarino (France)
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v 22-Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)
13-Kyle Edmund (Britain) v Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)
Not before 1800
22-Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) v Andy Murray (Britain)
Not before 1900
8-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia)
Who and when the Aussies play
Men’s singles:
29-Alex de Minaur v Pedro Sousa (POR)
John Millman v Federico Delbonis (ARG)
Matt Ebden v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Jordan Thompson v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Bernard Tomic v 6-Marin Cilic (CRO)
Jason Kubler v Thomas Fabbiano (ITA)
James Duckworth v 2-Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Marc Polmans v Denis Kudla (USA)
Women’s singles:
15-Ashleigh Barty v Luksika Kumkhum (THA)
Priscilla Hon v Astra Sharma
Kimberly Birrell v Paula Badosa Gibert (ESP)
Ellen Perez v Yafan Wang (CHN)
Zoe Hives v Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
with AAP