By Chris Oddo | Sunday January 15, 2016
And away we go! Day 1 of the Happy Slam is upon us and here’s what we’ll be watching…
Complete Day 1 Order of Play here
Big Names in Action
Roger Federer will take the court in the final match on Rod Laver Arena, and the Swiss maestro, off the tour since Wimbledon is likely to get a warm response when he faces qualifier Jurgen Melzer. What’s funny about this unlikely matchup between two former Top 10 players (yes, Federer is currenty a “former” Top 10 player at No.17 in the world) is that Melzer won their last matchup in 2011 in Monte-Carlo. Federer should have the big edge in this battle of 35 year olds, but it will be interesting to see what Melzer, who had to play two three-setters in qualies, will bring.
The day features two world No.1s on RLA (Murray vs. Marchenko and Kerber vs. Tsurenko) but the most exciting match could be the first one of the day. Simona Halep vs. the hard-hitting Shelby Rogers.
2014 champion Stan Wawrinka will be on Margaret Court in the evening facing the always entertaining but not always healthy Martin Klizan. Klizan is 0-2 on the season and he retired from his match in Sydney. If he was healthy we’d be really excited about this matchup.
Other Stuff
Jelena Jankovic will compete in her 53rd consecutive major, which leads the WTA now that Francesca Schiavone’s streak is over. She’ll face Laura Siegemund, first up on Court 8… Nick Kyrgios and his mending knee will be on Hisense for the final match where he will face the very talented Gastao Elias of Portugal… Jerzy Janowicz will play his first Grand Slam match in a year when he meets Marin Cilic, third match on Court No.2… Way over on Court No.20, Francesca Schiavone will begin her last go-round at the Australian Open when she meets American Julia Boserup. Schiavone has gone 3-11 over the last three years at majors. Does she have another push in her?
Key Stat Venus Williams will play in her 73rd major when she takes the court against Kateryna Kozlova in the second match on RLA.
Tweeet of the Day
Quote of the Day
If you run into Andy Murray around the grounds, feel free to use the recently knighted Murray’s first name. “I'm more than happy just being Andy,” he said. “That's enough for me.”