Australian Open 2015: Novak Djokovic vs Fernando Verdasco match preview

A look ahead to the third-round match in the men’s singles

Novak Djokovic celebrates his straight-sets victory over Andrey Kuznetsov (Getty Images)

While his biggest rival, Roger Federer, records a shock defeat in his earliest Melbourne exit since 2001, Novak Djokovic cruises through the tournament with eyes on the fifth title.

Nole hasn’t dropped a set yet and gave away only 14 games in his first two rounds.

His third-round opponent will be Fernando Verdasco of Spain who despite a much less stellar CV has proven a tough opponent for the Serb in the past. Djokovic has only a slight head-to-head advantage over the Spaniard leading 6-4.

Verdasco started his campaign by beating James Ward and followed by eliminating Japan’s Go Soeda in three sets.

The winner will face either John Isner or Gilles Muller in the fourth round.

Start: Saturday, Rod Laver Arena, 8am GMT

PAST MEETINGS:

2013 – Beijing (Hard) Djokovic won 7-5, 2-6, 6-2

2010 – Rome (Clay) Verdasco won 7-6, 3-6, 6-4

2010- Monte Carlo (Clay) Verdasco won 6-2, 6-2

STATS:

Although Djokovic has won the most recent encounter, Verdasco has won two out of the last three meetings between the two.

Despite turning pro 2 years before Djokovic, and having 4 years on the Serb, Verdasco has only managed 6 career titles. In comparison Djokovic has 48 career titles including seven Grand Slams titles.

The Serb has won the Australian open four times in total; Verdasco has only managed to get to semifinals once in 2009.

ODDS:

Djokovic to win 1.04

Verdasco to win 9

TV: British Eurosport