MATCHES TO WATCH ON DAY FOUR OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
* 18-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Australia's top-ranked woman showed terrific mettle on Tuesday against big-hitting Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. But can she handle the heat of another ultra-aggressive opponent? Italian powerhouse Giorgi saw off Petra Kvitova and Sloane Stephens at the Sydney International before her semi-final defeat to Angelique Kerber, who went on to beat Barty in the final. Neither has made it past the third round at Melbourne Park.
* 14-Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Gael Monfils (FRA)
Six-time champion Djokovic enjoyed a smooth return to Melbourne Park on Tuesday, dropping just seven games during his defeat of American Donald Young. But his troublesome elbow is bound to be put to the test by flamboyant Frenchman Monfils, a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park in 2016. The world No.39 has never beaten his Serbian rival but this may be his best chance yet.
* 1-Simona Halep (ROU) v Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)
A tough second-round matchup for world No.1 Halep, who advanced with a straight-sets victory over Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava. The Romanian has grappled with ankle issues and needed a medical timeout during Tuesday's match. Bouchard has had a rough time of late, recently dropping out of the top 100. But the popular Canadian has form on the big stage against Halep, defeating her in the semi-final at Wimbledon in 2014 before losing to Petra Kvitova in the final.
* Maria Sharapova (RUS) v 14-Anastasija Sevastova (LAT)
In her third Australian Open campaign since coming back from retirement, Sevastova has the bad fortune to come up against a real threat in five-time grand slam champion Sharapova. The Russian missed last year's Open while serving a doping ban but looked in ominous form during her straight-sets win over German Tatjana Maria. Former champion Angelique Kerber could await the winner in the third round.
* Hyeon Chung (KOR) v Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
Two rising stars of the men's circuit go head to head in a tantalising glimpse of the future. World No.53 Medvedev is hot off claiming his first ATP singles title, having defeated Australian young gun Alex de Minaur in the Sydney International final. Fellow 21-year-old Chung was too good for Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round. The winner faces the prospect of a third-round showdown with German star Alexander Zverev.
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