Over the course of two hours, the 21-year-old edged through a tight first set and recovered from an early break deficit in the second set to close out the 6-4, 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena.

Before each day's play Down Under, we'll preview and predict three must-see matches.

"I need hours on court. I need battles like this," Rafa said following his 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 defeat in Sydney Monday.

Elena Rybakina would be in the Top 10, and maybe even Top 5. Tatjana Maria would be No. 29 instead of No. 68.

The world No. 1 rallied from a set down to cool down the surging Germand talent and reach her third major quarterfinal of the season

Quarterfinalist at the All England Club, the German all-courter is finally making overdue headway in the WTA rankings after reaching the third round at the US Open.

Both shined in contrasting ways on show courts Sunday, lining up an unexpected first-time meeting to come during week two of the grass-court major.

Watson beat Niemeier in Monterrey back in February, yet the oddsmakers have the German pegged as a big favorite in London.

The Estonian was playing her first tournament since Roland Garros and spoke about her COVID-19 struggles earlier this month.