Novak Djokovic (-1,800) vs. Fernando Verdasco (+900)
Of all the first-round matches, the pick of the bunch is the clash between Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco. Djokovic may be the reigning Australian Open champion but he’ll have his hands full against the ever-dangerous Verdasco. The Spaniard had an upset win over compatriot Rafael Nadal in the first round here last year, and had five match points before losing to Djokovic in last week’s semifinals at Doha. That being said, we give the slight edge in this matchup to Djokovic who holds a 9-4 win-loss record over Verdasco.
Writer’s Prediction: Djokovic edges past Verdasco in four tough sets.
Andy Murray vs. Illya Marchenko
If there’s one player in the field who can stop Djokovic’s reign here in Melbourne, it’s got to be Andy Murray. The world no. 1, who has reached the final in Melbourne on five separate occasions, will begin his Australian Open campaign with a first round match against world number 95, Illya Marchenko. Murray will fancy his chances in this first-round clash as he has fared extremely well against Marchenko in the past. Murray is 1-0 in his career against Marchenko with his lone victory coming in the Australian Open back in 2011.
Writer’s Prediction: Murray destroys Marchenko in straight sets.
Roger Federer will make his much-anticipated return to the Grand Slam scene when he locks horns with Jurgen Melzer this coming Monday. This will be the Swiss maestro’s first major match since the semifinals of Wimbledon last year. Federer, who is seeded just 17th this year, holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage against Melzer. It’s tough seeing Melzer pulling off the upset against Federer who has won the Australian Open title four times.
Writer’s Prediction: Federer eases past Melzer in straight sets.
Complete Listing of 2017 Australian Open Men’s Singles First Round Matchups
Matchup
Pick
A. De Minaur vs. G. Melzer
Melzer
R. Harrison vs. N. Mahut
Mahut
N. Almagro vs. J. Chardy
Almagro
A. Kuznetsov vs. K. Nishikori
Nishikori
D. Dzumhur vs. V. Troicki
Troicki
V. Estrella Burgos vs. A. Bedene
Bedene
A. Rublev vs. Y. Lu
Rublev
Q. Halys vs. S. Querrey
Querrey
J. Isner vs. K. Kravchuk
Isner
G. Garcia Lopez vs. M. Zverev
Zverev
T. Berdych vs. L. Vanni
Berdych
B. Tomic vs. T. Belucci
Tomic
A. Murray vs. I. Marchenko
Murray
M. Jaziri vs. G. Soeda
Jaziri
J. Duckworth vs. P. Lorenzi
Lorenzi
P. Cuevas vs. D. Schwartzman
Schwartzman
A. Ramos-Vinolas vs. L. Lacko
Ramos-Vinolas
P.H. Mathieu (+210) vs. A. Seppi (-280)
Seppi
D. Lajovic (+105) vs. S. Robert (-135)
Robert
K. Khachanov (-145) vs. A. Mannarino (+115)
Khachanov
J. Janowicz (+650) vs. M. Cilic (-1,100)
Cilic
A. Bublik (+300) vs. L. Pouille (-400)
Pouille
B. Fratangelo (-165) vs. N. Rubin (+135)
Rubin
F. Delbonis (+300) vs. S. Johnson (-400)
Johnson
S. Darcis (-160) vs. S. Groth (+130)
Groth
J.W. Tsonga (-5,000) vs. T. Monteiro (+2,000)
Tsonga
M. Granollers (-120) vs. D. Sela (-110)
Sela
P.H. Herbert (+350) vs. J. Sock (-500)
Sock
F. Bagnis (+270) vs. D. Evans (-350)
Evans
G. Elias (+650) vs. N. Kyrgios (-1,100)
Kyrgios
S. Wawrinka (-2,000) vs. M. Klizan (+1,000)
Wawrinka
J. Melzer (+1,000) vs. R. Federer (-2,000)
Federer
G. Monfils (-340) vs. J. Vesely (+260)
Monfils
A. Dolgopolov (-135) vs. B. Coric (+105)
Coric
T. Fabbiano (+150) vs. D. Young (-180)
Young
N. Basilashvili (+325) vs. P. Kohlschreiber (-450)
