MATCHES TO WATCH ON DAY FIVE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

* 2-Rafael Nadal (ESP) v 27-Alex de Minaur (AUS), Rod Laver Arena, Night

The 19-year-old Sydney fighter faces a challenge of monumental proportions in the 17-time grand slam winner. De Minaur, Australia’s highest-ranked male, is coming off a gruelling five-setter and will hope to have refuelled. Nadal, 32, handed the youngster a 6-1 6-2 6-4 lesson in their only previous meeting at Wimbledon and is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park having swatted aside de Minaur’s countrymen James Duckworth and Matthew Ebden en route to the third round.

* 2-Angelique Kerber (GER) v Kimberly Birrell (AUS), Rod Laver Arena, Night

Giant-killing Australian Kimberly Birrell has a chance to notch another big scalp in a breakout summer. The 20-year-old has had impressive wins in Brisbane, Sydney and at Melbourne Park, including world No.10 Daria Kasatkina. She upset 29th seed Donna Vekic to make the Melbourne Park third round. Kerber, the reigning Wimbledon champion and 2016 Australian Open winner, has cruised past two lowly-ranked opponents in straight sets.

* 3-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v 30-Maria Sharapova (RUS), Rod Laver Arena, Day

Two former world No.1s are primed to add another chapter to their spicy rivalry. Defending champion Wozniacki and 2008 Australian Open winner Sharapova have traded barbs over the last few years but haven’t played each other since 2015. Neither have dropped a set on their way to the third round, with the Russian holding a 6-4 career advantage.

* 15-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Maria Sakkari (GRE), Rod Laver Arena, Day

Two rising stars backed by equally vocal cheer squads will clash for a round-four berth. Barty, coming off a career-best 2018 campaign, has got through her first two Melbourne Park matches without trouble. The 22-year-old Sakkari ousted No.22 seed Jelena Ostapenko in the opening round. The pair have met twice before, splitting honours.