A COUPLE of thrillers between the past generation and the next generation of stars takes place on Day 3, with some must-watch matches already forming in the second round.

PICK OF THE DAY:[6] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

The pick of Day 3 is between a Rising Greek prodigy fresh off an ATP Finals win last season, and a consistent no-nonsense counter puncher from Germany. Stefanos Tsitsipas is 21-years-old and has a huge career in front of him, while 36-year-old Kohlschreiber might be approaching the end of his, but it does not make him any less difficult for opponents. These two players have played twice in their careers – both in 2018 on hard court where Tsitsipas has emerged victorious on both occasions. Heading into tomorrow’s clash, the Greek will be heavy favourite heading into the clash and expected to advance to the Round of 32. Both players had very comfortable wins in the first round, with the world number six in particular breezing through without any troubles. This will be a more difficult clash for him, and do not be shocked if the German veteran takes a set off the young up-and-coming talent.

CLOSE SECOND:Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Dayana Yastremska (UKR)

The best of the women’s draw sees 2018 Australian Open winner, Caroline Wozniacki going up against Adelaide International finalist, Dayana Yastremska. The Ukrainian is only 19-years-old and already has three titles to her name and is currently at a career-high ranking of 21st in the world. Her opponent has been there and done it before, with the now 29-year-old Dane ranked 36th in the world after a disappointing 2019 season. In the pair’s only meeting, Yastremska had Wozniacki’s measure in Cincinatti, winning 6-4 6-4 in an entertaining clash likely to be repeated tomorrow. Wozniacki has more experience, but Yastremska is a future top 10 player and going deep at the first Open of 2020 will likely boost her ranking closer to that goal.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER:

[21] Benoit Paire (FRA) vs. Marin Cilic (CRO)

After battling through an epic five-set blockbuster, 21st seed Benoit Paire might have to prepare for another tough challenge. He faces big serving Croatian, Marin Cilic who is coming off a straight sets win in Round 1. Ranked 39th in the world, Cilic is 31-years-old but has won the past four against Paire, who has not beaten his opponent since 2013. After coming runner-up in Auckland, Paire will hope to continue that form and build on his sluggish start to the Open with an easier Round 2 match, though it looks unlikely given recent history between the pair and Cilic’s contrasting form.

Julia Goerges (GER) vs. [13] Peta Martic (CRO)

A highly anticipated match, Croatia’s Petra Martic takes on the underrated Julia Goerges from Germany. Goerges has seven singles and five doubles titles to her name, and while she is 31-years-old she is a former top 10 player who can trouble anyone on their day. Martic herself is 29-years-old and is currently at a career high 14, peaking later compared to a lot of other athletes on the tour. Remarkably, these players have faced off six times, but on four of those occasions there were two other players on the court. In the singles matches, Goerges has won both – 11 years apart. A 20-year-old Goerges defeated an 18-year-old Martic in three sets back in Portoroz, 2008, then made it a 2-0 head-to-head with a recent victory last year in straight sets, winning 6-3 6-3 on grass at Birmingham.

Cristian Garin (CHI) vs. [32] Milos Raonic (CAN)

These two players have never played, but the 35th and 36th ranked players in the world are evenly matched in terms of their potential to wreck havoc on higher ranked opponents. Raonic was lucky enough to sneak into a seeding after three withdrawals, with Garin missing out by a solitary spot. In the end it was all academic with Garin and Raonic meeting in the second round. The big serving Canadian completely obliterated his opponent in Round 1 and his serving could be a problem for the 23-year-old Chilean, though Garin was able to get through the first round of action with a straight sets victory.