Each day during the Australian Open, Steve Tignor will look ahead to three of the most compelling matches in each draw.*
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If you’re looking for an upset today, this is the place to start. Garcia won the only meeting between these two, last year in Acapulco, in three sets, and the Frenchwoman has been sharp so far in Australia. But Bouchard has yet to succumb to my predictions of an inevitable sophomore slump. We’ll see if she’s the vengeful type; it will be a good sign if she is. Also: Garcia is coached by an ex-mentor of Bouchard's, Natalie Tauziat. Winner: Bouchard
Things are looking up for both of these men right now. Berdych has a new coach, a new fiancée, and seemingly a new lease on life at 29, while Troicki, on the long road back from suspension, has won 12 straight matches. But 13 may be unlucky for the Serb, who has lost five in a row to the bigger-hitting Berdych, all of them in straight sets. Winner: Berdych
Fans may be curious about Pliskova, who was just given a tweet of approval from Andy Murray this week. This may or may not be good news for her; four years ago he said Garcia was going to be No. 1 in the world, and she just seems to be recovering from the shock now. But Pliskova has been playing well; she reached the final in Sydney last week and is ranked No. 20. Makarova won their only meeting, last year in Pattaya City. Whoever wins this one stands a good chance of getting to the quarters or beyond. Winner: Pliskova
Kyrgios will bring his styled brows and gold-chain 'tude to Margaret Court Arena for a night match with a 31-year-old Tunisian ranked No. 75. That scenario has Aussie beach-ball party written all over it, but beware of Jaziri for two reasons: (1) Goran Ivanisevic, the man who took Marin Cilic to the U.S. Open title last year, has volunteered to be his coach in Melbourne; and (2) The winner will face Roger Federer, which means this could be a trap match for the spotlight-seeking Kyrgios. Winner: Kyrgios
Sharapova had never faced her last opponent, Alexandra Panova, and she nearly lost; she's never faced Diyas, either, and the 21-year-old is the tougher player. That hardly guarantees an upset, or even a decent match; last week in Hobart, Diyas lost to Alison Riske 6-3, 6-0. But she's ranked No. 31, and has been steadily improving. Is she ready for night tennis in Rod Laver Arena? Winner: Sharapova
These two Aussies will face off, for the first time, late on Hisense Arena. So far the fit-looking Tomic has been impressive, to the crowds and apparently to himself: Bernie walked off after his last win, over Philipp Kohlschreiber, with his fist raised as if he had just single-handedly won the Davis Cup for Australia. But Groth, he of the monster serve, is an Aussie of the all-business variety, and he knocked another of his hot-shot young countrymen, Thanasi Kokkinakis, out in five sets two nights ago. Bernie is going to want this one; he might get Berdych in the fourth round, and that’s a winnable match. Winner: Tomic
Also on the docket: Roger Federer (vs. Andreas Seppi), Rafael Nadal (vs. Dudi Sela), and Simona Halep (vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands). On paper, they’re all heavy favorites.