2016 Australian Open: What to watch on Day 3

After the shocking upsets on the first two days of the 2016 Australian Open, fans will be eagerly waiting to see what the second round brings. It commences on Wednesday and has a host of intriguing matchups which might send a few more seeds out of the Slam.Which are the matches that should not be missed? Here’s our pick:

#1 Indian interest

The doubles action begins at the Australian Open from Wednesday and a total of five Indians are in the men’s and women’s doubles draws. On Day 3, two Indians will begin their campaign in men’s doubles – Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

While Paes plays with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy this year, Bhupathi has teamed up with Gilles Muller. Paes and Chardy square off against the 12th seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah. Muller and Bhupathi, meanwhile, have a relatively easier opener against the unseeded local duo of Alex Bolt and Andrew Whittington.

#2 Ana Konjuh vs Daria Kasatkina

It’s a battle tennis fans are guaranteed to watch many times over in the future. The two 18-year-olds are sure to take over the game when the present giants retire. Russian Daria Kasatkina and Croatian Ana Konjuh both had a stellar career in juniors and each went on to win Grand Slams.

The Russian made her senior Grand Slam debut last year at the US Open and made it to the third round and on the way, she beat Konjuh. She kicked off her 2016 season in an impressive fashion, upsetting Venus Williams at Auckland.

With Konjuh still struggling after a back injury, Kasatkina should come through. But this can be a humdinger.

#3 (6) Petra Kvitova vs Daria Gavrilova

Daria Gavrilova is definitely not one opponent Petra Kvitova would enjoy playing so early. The Russian-turned-Australian put up quite a show at the Hopman Cup just a few days back. She is fearless and if she can get her forehands working, she can be quite a force.

After being out of action in the first couple of weeks of the season due to a gastro-intestinal viral problem, the two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova arrived short of vital match practice. She passed the first round with flying colours but playing the 21-year-old in front of her home crowd can be a different ball-game. Their only meeting was a thrilling three-setter at Wuhan last year which Kvitova won narrowly.

Is an upset on the cards here?

#4 (3) Roger Federer vs Alexandr Dolgopolov

Roger Federer has lifted the trophy at Melbourne Park four times but 2015 was one year he would like to forget. He came in with a huge momentum after clinching the Brisbane title only to be bundled out of the third round by Andreas Seppi.

This year, he lost the final at Brisbane to the big-serving Milos Raonic but it had more to do with the Swiss fighting a cold that week. If his first round performance at the Australian Open is anything to go by, he is set for a deeper run.

That said, Alexandr Dolgopolov with his barrage of slices and unconventional play, can be quite tricky. However, his lack of consistency can be his Achilles heel and Federer’s recent practice with the World No. 35 can come in handy.

#5 (4) Agnieszka Radwanska vs Eugenie Bouchard

This match is the showstopper of the day. Since August last year, Agnieszka Radwanska has been the form player and has captured four titles which includes her win at Shenzen in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

The Pole’s consistency has made her an early favourite at Melbourne Park. But her second round opponent is someone who has not lost before the quarter-finals at this Slam for the past two years. After a year in the doldrums, Eugenie Bouchard has been slowly finding her way back to the top and recently reached the final at Hobart.

Her six match wins this year should boost her confidence ahead of this important clash which will help Genie to understand where actually her level is now.