Australian Open 2012: Best Remaining Fourth-Round Matchups

Half of the quarterfinals for the 2012 Australian Open are set, but the fourth round still has plenty of intriguing matches left on the schedule.

Here's a look at the best remaining matches.

Novak Djokovic (No. 1) vs Lleyton Hewitt

Hey, no match featuring No. 1 Novak Djokovic is ever not intriguing, but throw in the fact that he's going up against Hewitt, who is making a magical, storybook run through Australia, and you've got yourself plenty of intrigue.

Hewitt, a former No. 1 way back in 2001, has had minimal success over the last few years. He is ranked No. 181 and got a Wild Card into this year's Australian Open. 

Yet somehow Hewitt has defeated a couple of highly ranked opponents, including Andy Roddick, and moved his way into the fourth round. The Aussie will obviously have a lot of crowd support, but the odds he pulls the huge upset are minuscule.

If Hewitt does manage to win this one, he would be a good candidate for the story of the year, and we're only in January. 

Maria Sharapova (No. 4) vs. Sabine Lisicki (No. 15)

It's hard to imagine Sharapova is still just 24 years old since she was ranked No. 1 more than six years ago. But she's still No. 4 and very much a contender to win the Australian Open this year.

Standing in her way is up-and-coming star Sabine Lisicki, whose No. 15 ranking is the highest it has been in her young career.

Lisicki's best finish in a Grand Slam last year came at Wimbledon, when she reached the semis. While she has struggled a bit on hard courts, she is going to give Sharapova a tough match. 

Richard Gasquet (No. 18) vs. David Ferrer (No. 5)

After making it to the semis in Australia last year, Ferrer was seen as a popular upset pick this year. Standing in his way is 25-year-old Richard Gasquet.

Gasquet hasn't had a whole lot of Grand Slam success, as 2007 Wimbledon is the only time he's reached at least the semifinals. He's failed to reach the the fourth round in Australia in the past three years, and it will be tough to get past Ferrer. Still, this should be an entertaining match.