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#3 (7) Kei Nishikori vs (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won their most recent showdown at the 2015 French Open in five sets. But it is the seventh-seeded Kei Nishikori who leads the head-to-head record 4-2 and has won their last two hardcourt meetings.
Most importantly, the Japanese emerged victorious in their only Australian Open clash four years back which happened to be in the same round. And that was a five-setter as well.
When they face off on Sunday, it is logical to expect another long, gruelling match, full of brilliant shotmaking. For Nishikori, the Australian Open has been his most consistent Major for the last four years where he hasn’t lost before the fourth round since 2012. Tsonga too can call this Slam his most favourite after his runner-up finish in 2008, followed by a semi-final and two quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.
This is tough to call. Nishikori did not look as sharp as he did last year when he succumbed to Bernard Tomic at the Brisbane quarter-finals just two weeks back. It will be interesting to see how he responds under pressure this time.
