MUST-SEE MATCHES ON DAY TWO OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:

* 23-Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)

Kyrgios has had an emotional lead-up to the Australian Open, the Canberran at the forefront of the tennis world’s efforts to raise funds for bushfire-ravaged communities. He hasn’t hidden the fact that it will take him a little time to completely switch his focus to on-court matters. The 24-year-old carries good form into the tournament having won three of his four singles matches at the ATP Cup. Sonego enjoyed a steady rise up the rankings in 2019 and won his first ATP title, at Antalya. Kygios defeated the big-serving Italian in their only previous encounter in Cincinnati last year.

* 28-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v Alexei Popyrin (AUS)

The flamboyant French veteran and the towering Australian rising star will play each other for the first time in what promises to be an entertaining encounter. Popyrin was just eight years old when Tsonga made his famous run to the 2008 Australian Open final and admits the Frenchman is still one of his idols. Tsonga didn’t make it past the third round at a grand slam last season, but the 34-year-old took singles titles in Metz and Montpellier. Popyrin enjoyed a breakout season that began with his run to the third round at Melbourne Park.

* 2-Karolina Pliskova (CZE) v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)

Pliskova comes in with impressive form, having beaten 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka on her way to the Brisbane International title. She also got a close look at her first-round opponent’s game in Brisbane, albeit in a doubles match won by Mladenovic and Ajla Tomljanovic. Mladenovic didn’t make it past the second round of a grand slam last year, but her quality was on display when she beat world No.1 Ash Barty in November as France claimed a memorable Fed Cup final win over Australia.

* 4-Daniil Medvedev (RUS) v Frances Tiafoe (USA)

Medvedev looms as the player most likely outside the big three to break through with a grand slam victory, his 2019 tour-topping 59 wins and an epic US Open comeback against Rafael Nadal that finished just short, testament to that. He’s also won his only tour match against the American. But Tiafoe looms as a real banana skin here. A quarter-finalist in 2019, he lopped some other tall timber last year in then world No.6 Kevin Anderson and Grigor Dimitrov. Expect some heavy hitting from the pair and perhaps a repeat of Tiafoe’s shirt-ripping, gun-flexing antics from the Dimitrov clash should he pull off an upset.

* 4-Simona Halep (ROM) v Jennifer Brady (USA)

It’s the tactician versus the heavy hitter in an opening round encounter that belies rankings. Two-time slam winner Halep will be the warm favourite but world No.49 Brady comes in with some form behind her. The American won five matches from qualifying through to the Brisbane Open quarter-finals – including victory over world No.1 Ashleigh Barty – before losing to Petra Kvitova. With a big serve and forehand she could trouble Halep but consistency may be an issue. Halep has the calming influence of Darren Cahill in her box. The pair’s one and only meeting was a three-set classic in Toronto last year, Brady two points from the win before Halep triumphed.