Doubles Take: Sock, Mattek-Sands to face big challenges

Here’s your daily dose of doubles action, by way of the Australian Open.

On the first day of doubles play in Melbourne, four seeds on the men’s side and two among the women tumbled out, with the biggest upset seeing two-time major champions Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau going out to Marcelo Arevalo and Jamie Cerretani.

One seeded team looked like they’re ready to contend for the title—at their first Slam in a year.

Bob and Mike Bryan made a winning return to Melbourne, defeating local favorites Alex Bolt and Marc Polmans in straight sets.

The No. 4 seeds next face Adrian Mannarino and Andreas Mies.

Here’s a look at three must-see matches on tap on Day 4:

1

Elise Mertens/Aryna Sabalenka vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Demi Schuurs (15):

Last year, Mertens and Schuurs won three titles together en route to a spot in the WTA Finals field. Mertens, looking to cut back on her doubles play, is making an appearance in this draw with the hard-hitting Sabalenka on her side. Mattek-Sands and Schuurs have the edge when it comes to doubles instincts, but will that be enough to overcome the firepower—mixed in with Mertens’ own amount of savvy—coming their way?

2

Jack Sock/Jackson Winthrow vs. Juan Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah (2)

While his singles game suffered in 2018, Sock had a doubles season for the ages. He dropped his first match in singles here this year, which means he and Winthrow are winning the tournament. Seriously, though, the Americans did share a moment in the spotlight last year in Delray Beach, winning there for one of Sock’s six titles. “Colombian Power” will look to exact some revenge against Sock as he and Mike Bryan beat the duo on their way to the US Open crown last year. How Winthrow holds up against such elite competition will have an impact on the outcome.

3

Lleyton Hewitt/John-Patrick Smith vs. Marcus Daniell/Wesley Koolhof

Hewitt’s been in the headlines a lot the past few days—and that's before he’s even hit a ball. The now-doubles specialist partnered countryman Sam Groth to the quarterfinals last year in front of his home crowd. He’s found a strong partner in Smith, another countryman, but they’re facing a formidable pairing in Daniell and Koolhof, who have already won in 2019, taking the title in Brisbane. It could be a short stay for the Aussies but you know Hewitt won't go out without a fight.

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