* 1-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Lesia Tsurenko (UKR), first night match at Rod Laver Arena, not before 7pm
Entering her home grand slam as the world No.1, all eyes will be on Barty to see how she holds up under the pressure in her first-round clash. Barty made the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park last year, setting the tone for her monumental 2019. While her opponent is ranked 120th, the Ukrainian has won four career titles, has been as high as 23rd in the world after reaching the 2018 US Open quarter-finals and thumped Barty 6-3 6-2 in their most recent meeting in 2018. Tsurenko’s last start was a 6-3 6-3 loss to Kiki Bertens in China last week.
* Venus Williams (USA) v Coco Gauff (USA), third match on Margaret Court Arena, about 4pm
The master versus the apprentice part two. Their match was one of the most memorable at Wimbledon last year, but can the sequel live up to the original? Still just 15, Gauff will be hoping to replicate her performance in upstaging the 39-year-old seven-time major winner. Gauff showed her win against Williams was no fluke by becoming the youngest person to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis in 1996 and arrived in Melbourne ranked 66 after reaching the third round at the 2019 US Open.
* 3-Roger Federer (SUI) v Steve Johnson (USA), third match on Rod Laver Arena, about 3pm
How will the Swiss master go in his first appearance of the Australian summer? Federer begins his pursuit of a 21st grand slam – and seventh at Melbourne Park – in his record 21st consecutive Open appearance but his first match since the ATP Tour finals in November. Federer will go into a battle against world No.81 Johnson, a rival renowned for his deft slice backhands. The American has played Federer twice before. They met in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2016, with Federer prevailing 6-2 6-3 7-5.
* 2-Novak Djovokic (SER) v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER), second night match at Rod Laver Arena, about 9pm
The king of Melbourne Park, Djovokic is on the hunt for an eighth Australian Open crown. His quest starts in more difficult fashion than he might have hoped. Struff is ranked No.37 in the world and has Djokovic’s ex-Australian strategist Craig O’Shannessy in his box to liven up proceedings.The pair’s most recent meeting was at the French Open last year, with Djokovic prevailing in straight sets.
* 8-Serena Williams (USA) v Anastasia Potapova (RUS), second match at Rod Laver Arena, about 1pm
The greatest women’s player of her generation will face up to a rising Russian star. Williams’ most recent major came at the 2017 Australian Open, but she remains hungry to taste victory at least one more time to equal – and pass – Margaret Court’s singles slam record of 24. Potapova is a former junior No.1 and, at just 18, it will be fascinating to see how she matches up against the seven-times champion.
