A lookahead to today’s action

And soon they’ll be one: There are two Grand Slam singles champions left in the women’s draw, and they will play each other Saturday in the third round — Maria Sharapova (2008 Australian Open winner) vs. Angelique Kerber (2016 Australian Open champion).

Sharapova, who was off the tour for 15 months serving a doping ban, has a 4-3 edge in career meetings.

The first time they met was also at the Australian Open, and also in the third round, when Sharapova won in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

But Kerber has won their last two meetings, including the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2014 in three close sets.

“I’m around 50 in the world at this point, so I know I’m going to be facing seeded players, first, second, third round,” Sharapova said.

“She (Kerber) just happens to be the next one that’s in the draw that I have to play.”

Kerber referred to it as “another tough match . ... we’ve both played in the past a lot of good matches, and she’s played two very good ones here.” Elsewhere in the third round, top-seeded Simona Halep plays American Lauren Davis.

Defending champion Roger Federer will continue his quest for a 20th Grand Slam singles title and his sixth at Melbourne Park when he plays Richard Gasquet.

Federer has won 16 of the 18 times he’s played Gasquet. Sixtime Australian champion Novak Djokovic, coming off an elbow injury layoff, plays Albert RamosVinolas.

Federer and Djokovic could meet in the semifinals, although Djokovic could have a tough fourth-round match — fourthseeded Alexander Zverev.

TODAY FORECAST

Chance of showers, high of 26 Celsius

YESTERDAY’S WEATHER

Sunny and hot, high of 40 C

ATTENDANCE

Day: 37,142; TOTAL: 65,151 Night:

QUOTE OF THE DAY

28,009;

“How much do you have to pay Svitolina to have (a) one-hour lesson? I got it for free.” — 15-yearold Marta Kostyuk putting a positive spin on being outclassed by her more-experienced Ukrainian compatriot Svitolina in 59 minutes.