Given Dan Evans' outstanding antics at the Australian Open 2017, you cannot help but wish him well against the big-hitting Tsonga, but for me, tie of the 4th round is the Nadal shadow-chasing Spaniard, Roberto Bautista-Agut taking on crafty Canadian, Milos Raonic.
Raonic was Andy Murray's last Grand Final opponent at Wimbledon 2016. He will be striving to be his next one also and reverse that tight, straight sets defeat. The Canadian is defending ranking points given his run to the semi-final at Melbourne Park, last year.
Playing your way out of Nadal's shadow
Coming into this tournament as the number 13 seed, Bautista-Agut has already met seeded expectations in reaching the round of 16 with straight sets victories over Pella and Nishioka, then dropping his first set in a 3-1 victory over country man David Ferrer. The latest victory, underlined his status as the Spanish number 2 and, there is no reason why he should not be eyeing the number 1 status very soon. Bautista-Agut has only played Nadal once in a ranking event, losing in straight sets at the 2014 Madrid Masters, semi-final stage.
A victory over Nadal here, should they meet in the quarter finals would go a long way towards helping this Castellón de la Plana born dark horse, once and for all, step out of his compatriot's shadow and earn the recognition he deserves in his own right.
Head to head
For what it is worth: Raonic leads the head to head 2-0 with indoor hardcourt victories in London (2016) and Paris (2014), but they have not met in a game that means anywhere as much as this one, with the draw opening out like a crocodile's jaws, since Istomin's 2nd round victory over Djokovic. In some matches the head to head is significant, but arguably not in this one, as both players have made great starts to the season and haven't looked in much trouble in any of their last three victories.
Tight game in store
This promises to be a competitive match in which Bautista-Agut will need to focus early on returning Raonic's power serve that is his main weapon. Should he be able to do this and lengthen the points on the Canadian's serve. He could very well send a "come and get me message" to Nadal. This 4th round match is scheduled for Monday 23rd January 2017.
Prediction: It promises to be a tight no holds barred sort of a contest, but the prediction is for Roberto Bautista-Agut to sneak it. It should be a great game to watch.