Last year’s US Open finalist faces a flamboyant Spanish shot-maker on Day 2 of the Australian Open, while two Frenchmen engage in one of the day’s more overlooked matches.

Nicolas Almagro v. Kei Nishikori

On paper, this looks like it could be a great match. Nishikori is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, and Almagro is a former top-10 player with incredible talent. Both players can rip the cover off the ball and hit their opponents straight off the court.

They’ve met on two previous occasions, splitting these matches in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur in 2013 and 2011 respectively, with Almagro having won their most recent meeting in three sets.

However, the Nishikori we saw take on Almagro at the end of 2013 is a shadow of the player Nishikori has become over the last year. Almagro, in his current state, is a shadow of his former self. The Spaniard lost the only match he’s played in 2014 and doesn’t appear to be entirely healthy or in tip-top form. Even at his peak, beating Nishikori would be a tremendously difficult task.

Almagro is going to have find a way to neutralize Nishikori’s aggression, and his best chance of doing so may be to amplify his level of aggression for the purpose of taking away the middle of the court. Bear in mind that Nishikori is lightning quick and a very capable defender, but Almagro will feel far more comfortable if Nishikori isn’t dictating the points.

Assuming Nishikori is able to find himself on the offensive, he’s going to target Almagro’s weakness, which is his lateral movement and ball-retrieving skills. Almagro prefers clay because he has more time to get to the ball and set up for his shots. Unfortunately for him, Nishikori isn’t going to cater to this and will surely be taking the ball on early and often.

Almagro has a long road back, and barring some bizarre stuff happening, that road isn’t beginning in Melbourne.

Prediction: Nishikori in three sets

Lucas Pouille v. Gael Monfils

France is known for churning out immensely talented players who can play all the shots with force and flair. If you don’t believe me, feel free to check out this match between French veteran, Gael Monfils, and the future of French tennis, Lucas Pouille.

The last time we saw Monfils in a Grand Slam, he held two match points in a quarterfinal against Roger Federer at the U. S. Open. Year after year, the tennis world holds it breath waiting for Monfils to make a breakthrough at a major. It sure looked like he was ready to take that next step against Federer in Flushing Meadows, but nevertheless, here we are in 2015 and Monfils still has not found his way through to a Grand Slam final of any kind.

His first-round match against Lucas Pouille could be a very tricky one. Pouille is a technically sound, all-court 20-year-old seemingly unafraid of the older, more experienced opponents he faces week in and week out on tour.

Pouille had a very good showing for himself last week in Auckland, where he made the semifinals as a lucky loser before losing to Adrian Mannarino 7-5 in the third set. Monfils is ostensibly deprived of match play, having not played a tour-level match since the Paris Masters at the end of last season.

If Monfils shows up, he’ll win this match. It’s that simple. Pouille will have his day in years to come, but this match is in the hands of the veteran. Pouille has a game that could trouble Monfils if it’s clicking, but it’s certainly not developed enough to score a victory like this at a Grand Slam over five sets.

Prediction: Monfils in four sets