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Number one Barty, who has been in dominant form in 2022, will face veteran Italian 30th seed Camila Giorgi to start the night session at Rod Laver Arena.
Late in the match Nadal faces dangerous Russian 28th seed Karen Khachanov, with the Spaniard warning that his best is yet to come as he returns to his peak form after suffering an injury in 2021.
Barty, who was chasing the first title at her home Slam, has barely sweated so far, losing only three games in two matches.
The Wimbledon champion won the Adelaide International with a serve that was untouchable, and it has been flawless in Melbourne as well.
“Just constantly trying to make it a weapon,” he said of his serve, which hasn’t been broken for 48 straight games in five games.
“I’m not the biggest girl out there, but I know I have a sound technique and know that if I can get my rhythm right and use it effectively, it can be a weapon.” “
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka says she is taking unexpected inspiration from Australians Nick Kyrgios and Brit Andy Murray during the first Slam of the year, who tweeted that he was enjoying watching them.
“Definitely means a lot. It was a really good moment for me,” she said of Murray’s message.
Nadal’s path to become the first man to win 21 Grand Slams – he is tied at 20 with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who are both absent – could see him meet Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
But first he needs to send Khachanov – with the prospect of another Russian, Aslan Karatsev, last year’s semifinalist, waiting in the last 16.
“I think it will be a big challenge to play against Khachanov,” Nadal said. He said he was not looking forward to Friday’s match.
“I never think so far. Just focusing on my daily work, that’s coming, and that’s it. One moment in time, that’s it.”
Third seed Zverev will face Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot on the “party court” John Cann Arena, while Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini will take on Spain’s Carlos Alcarz in the men’s draw.
The women’s action on Rod Laver begins with Belarusian former two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, 15th seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
She will be followed by French Open champion and fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
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