Australian Open: 4 matches to watch on Day 2

After an exodus of seeds on the first day, the 2016 Australian Open is all set for some enthralling action on Day 2. Lleyton Hewitt’s retirement is of course the talk of the town and it could very well happen on Tuesday.Which are the other matches that can be exciting to watch? Here’s our pick of four matches that should not be missed:

#4 (5) Rafael Nadal vs Fernando Verdasco

Compatriots Nadal and Verdasco have played some riveting tennis against each other

Tennis fans still remember their 2009 classic semi-final match which was a sheer display of tenacity from both the Spaniards. It went on for 5 hours and 14 minutes and still remains as one of the best matches ever played at the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco get an opportunity to meet again at the Melbourne Park seven years later and five rounds earlier. Will it be another riveting match?

Verdasco is now ranked 45th which is 40 places below the 2009 Australian Open winner. Even though he does have a victory over his more accomplished countryman, Nadal is playing more freely since the end of the 2015 US Open. He seems to have conquered the anxieties that troubled him for the better part of last year and should look to start the 2016 Australian Open with a confidence-boosting win.

#3 (10) John Isner vs Jerzy Janowicz

10^th seed Isner has been in decent nick

Two giants cross swords in this first round face-off which can turn out to be a humdinger. Service bombs will be flying from both sides and tie-breaks are certain in this showdown.

Isner is the better-placed player who is seeded 10th and he began 2016 by reaching the quarter-finals of the ASB Classic. The fiery Janowicz is currently ranked 56th and he even had to play at Challenger tournaments last year.

Form and consistency lie with the American in this match between two players who have never met each other on the Tour. Isner should come through though it won’t be easy.

#2 (2) Andy Murray vs Alexander Zverev

Murray faces talented teen Alexander Zverev

This is a battle of generations that will take place on the Margaret Court Arena. In this contest of youth versus experience, the World No. 2 Andy Murray faces the 83rd ranked Alexander Zverev, a player who is 10 years younger than the Scot.

The lanky teenager has long been considered one of the best future hopes and would try his best to stretch Murray. The second seed of course has four final appearances at Melbourne and knows very well when to lift his game on these courts.

#1 Lleyton Hewitt vs James Duckworth

It’s Lleyton Hewitt’s final tennis tournament

All of Australia will be glued to this all-Aussie battle where the curtains could come down on a glittering tennis career. Former World No. 1 and two-time Major winner Lleyton Hewitt is playing his 20th Australian Open which is the last time he is participating at his home Slam.

His opponent is a 23-year-old Sydney resident, who is ranked 129th. Hewitt has never crossed swords with his younger compatriot, who is a regular player on the ATP Challenger Tour.

The tennis world will be hoping that Hewitt can bring forth his exceptional fighting skills to give his fans one more chance of watching one of the sport’s best-ever warriors.