This is a match I've been hoping to see since the draws were made. Halep beat Makarova in straight sets in their only meeting, in New Haven in 2013. But the shrewd Russian lefty, who has more court sense than most, is a Grand Slam seed killer—four years ago she beat Serena Williams at the Australian Open, and last year she upset Agnieszka Radwanska and Euenie Bouchard at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, respectively. Halep, while she hasn’t been in serious trouble yet, has had a few anxious blips fly across her radar screen. Still, she’s too good not to be the favorite in this one. Winner: Halep

Sharapova leads their head-to-head 3-0, but Bouchard has been closing in. The first time they played, in Miami in 2013, Maria won 6-2, 6-0; the last time they played, at the French Open in 2014, Maria came back to prevail only after a mighty struggle, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. By now, each woman seems to have settled into solid form in Oz, and should be ready for a straight-up slugfest. May the better woman on the day win. Winner: Sharapova

Every year Berdych steamrolls his way through the opening week in Oz, and every year that roll comes to a screeching halt against a top player. Nadal has ended plenty of Berdych’s rolls over the years; the Spaniard has beaten him 17 straight times dating back to 2007. Three years ago, in this same round and on this same court, the Czech looked ready to break the hex. But over four close sets, all he did was push Rafa to play his very best. Winner: Nadal

Wednesday’s showcase match, first up at night on Laver, will pit solid and steady against rough and ready—I don’t think I need to tell you who is who. In their only previous match, in Canada last summer, the sixth-ranked Murray put a sleeper hold on the 53rd-ranked Kyrgios. 6-2, 6-2. It was a beating so thorough that the Aussie teen did an “I’m-not-worthy” bow to Murray on Twitter afterward. As far as their match-up goes, Murray’s return will always be an asset against Kyrgios’ serve—as will, of course, his experience and consistency. But an early-round day match in Toronto is, literally and figuratively, a world away from a quarterfinal night match in Melbourne. Winner: Murray