The Australian Open is underway. With the qualifying already done and dusted, we know all 64 first round matchups in the men\u2019s singles draw. Without further ado, let me introduce the 2018 Aussie Open Watchability Power Rankings.\u00a0 In this piece, I\u2019m putting together a list of early matches featuring a certain enticing storyline. As you will notice, I tried to stray away from the big names who draw attention just because they are insanely good.<\/p>\n
Nicolas Jarry vs Leonardo Mayer<\/strong><\/p>\n Laslo Djere vs Ivo Karlovic<\/strong><\/p>\n Both Jarry and Djere aim to earn first GS main draw win. They are 22 and 23 years of age respectively, so they aren\u2019t precisely tantalizing prospects. The exciting aspect about their openers lies on their adversaries\u2019 home country. The Chilean will be extra pumped to upend an Argentinian, and so will be the Serbian against the Croatian giant.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 6\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Novak Djokovic vs Donald Young<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the best players of all time, who happens to be a six-time champion in Melbourne, is set to play his first official match since Wimbledon. Welcome back Novak!<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 6\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Corentin Moutet vs Andreas Seppi<\/strong><\/p>\n Soonwoo Kwon vs Jan-Lenard Struff<\/strong><\/p>\n Jaume Munar vs Gael Monfils<\/strong><\/p>\n Christian Ruud vs Christophe Van Garsse<\/strong><\/p>\n It is not fun when unprepared kids receive Slam invitations and get thrown to the lions. However, both Moutet and Kwon are ranked in the high-100s and should not be overpowered. Meanwhile, former French Open boys finalist Jaume Munar, the 20-year-old prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of Rafael Nadal, breezed through qualifying and will seek to upset “LaMonf.”<\/p>\n Ok, fine, Ruud and Van Garsse are NOT playing this week. I didn\u2019t make up that matchup, though. It actually took place back in 1998<\/a>. It\u2019s the Norwegian\u2019s son, Casper Ruud, who will face Quentin Halys in the first round.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 8\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Dominic Thiem vs Guido Pella<\/strong><\/p>\n The Argentinian lefty has quietly owned Thiem in their two previous career meetings, per Tennis Abstract<\/a>. Will that dominance translate to the big stage of a Grand Slam? We will find out. Rather than a dark horse, in my opinion, the Austrian is a prime candidate to succumb early. I expect this match to be a dogfight. Can\u2019t wait!<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 8\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Nick Kyrgios vs Rogerio Dutra Silva<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite the continuous disappointments, I\u2019m still standing straight on the Kyrgios\u2019 train. For the sake of our entertainment, hopefully the Canberra native does not stay up all night watching Boston Celtics highlights. Barring meltdown, the Australian will blow the Brazilian journeyman off the court in exhilarating fashion.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 8\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Aleksandr Dolgopolov vs Andreas Haider-Maurer<\/p>\n Haider-Maurer entered the main draw on the back of a Protected Ranking provision. Currently ranked #451 in the world, the Austrian is a shell of his pre-two-year-injury self. It should be a routine win for pretty much anybody in the draw. However, Dolgopolov is known for his propensity to clown around. They duel could turn out to be an unwatchable product or great entertainment.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: Either 9\/10 or 1\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Note: The honorary president of the Association of Tennis Mercenaries<\/strong>, Bernard Tomic, would definitely fit in this section had he managed to get through qualifying. In case you missed it, the mercurial Aussie replied to a post-loss question with a legendary <\/span>\u00a0\u201cI just count my millions\u201d<\/a> quote. How can you not love Bernie?<\/p>\n Jason Kubler vs Pablo Carre\u00f1o<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Daniil Medvedev<\/strong><\/p>\n Alex de Minaur vs Tomas Berdych<\/strong><\/p>\n Alexei Popyrin vs Tim Smyczek<\/strong><\/p>\n I feel like the Australian players enjoy the most home court advantage amongst the Grand Slams. Year after year, It seems like the crowds get rowdy and push their compatriots to victories they had no business in obtaining. For example, 16-year-oold Tomic vs Potito Starace in 2009, 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios’ quarterfinal run in 2015, 18-year-old Kokkinakis over peak Ernests Gulbis in 2015, 17-yearo-old De Minaur versus Gerald Melzer last year and so on\u2026<\/p>\n All the Aussies listed above are undoubtedly underdogs. Nevertheless, I would be shocked if they go 0-4 or even 1-3.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 9\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Denis Shapovalov<\/strong><\/p>\n These are the two youngest players to warrant a direct entry. In this showdown featuring a pair of spectacular one-handed backhands, Shapovalov has the better tour resume, but Tsitsipas has been the steadier force since the US Open. Both teens flash Top 10 potential and even Grand Slam winning upside.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Shapovalov owns a 2-1 head-to-head<\/a> edge, albeit on the junior tour.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 9.5\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Andrey Rublev vs David Ferrer<\/strong><\/p>\n In my book, this encounter has it all. A young, volatile and even reckless flamethrower against a resilient, counterpunching veteran. There is no point in diving into further detail. Just follow my advice and cancel whatever plans you have so that you can watch this match. Don\u2019t forget the popcorn. Oh, and if you\u2019re lucky to be on site, there will probably be some epic outbursts and broken rackets to collect.<\/p>\n Watchability Index: 10\/10<\/em><\/p>\n Main Photo:
\nI mean\u2026<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nGrand Slam debut of dazzling foreign prospects<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nGauging the importance of the H2H<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nWill the bad boy finally put it together?<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nKeep getting dem checks!<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nCalibrating the effect of the Australian Cheering Army<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nThe match of the hype<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nCall in sick to your job, you won\u2019t regret watching this<\/em><\/h2>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>