MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic will start his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam crown general in opposition to a qualifier, whereas top-ranked Iga Swiatek faces a tough take a look at in opposition to 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, after the draw on Thursday.
Djokovic required remedy for a wrist drawback throughout his United Cup defeat by Alex de Minaur final week – his first loss in Australia for six years – and might put that disappointment behind him with a quick begin at his most profitable main.
The 36-year-old Serb might play Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas within the quarter-finals in what could be a mouthwatering rematch of final 12 months’s title conflict.
Defending ladies’s champion Aryna Sabalenka additionally takes on a qualifier first whereas 2023 runner-up Elena Rybakina, who downed the world quantity two within the ultimate of the tune-up match in Brisbane, faces former world primary Karolina Pliskova.
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz heads to Melbourne Park for the 12 months’s opening Grand Slam beginning on Sunday with none aggressive matches below his belt this season, and the Spaniard meets French veteran Richard Gasquet.
The 20-year-old second seed is on track for a quarter-final conflict with the rejuvenated Alexander Zverev, who goes up in opposition to fellow German Dominik Koepfer.
Tsitsipas squares off with Matteo Berrettini in one other tantalising opener, whereas twice-finalist Daniil Medvedev will begin in opposition to a qualifier.
Italian teen Jannik Sinner, who’s tipped to go deep at Melbourne Park, will face Botic van de Zandschulp.
US Open champion Coco Gauff will tackle Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, whereas four-times main winner Naomi Osaka returns to Grand Slam tennis for the primary time since 2022 and performs Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in a tough opener.
Jelena Ostapenko marches into Adelaide semi-finals
Osaka, who received the title in 2019 and 2021, solely returned to motion at Brisbane having spent 15 months on the sidelines and giving delivery to her first little one in July.
Angelique Kerber, who additionally made her comeback to the tour following a prolonged maternity break, will play 2022 runner-up Danielle Collins in her opener and will tackle high seed Swiatek within the subsequent spherical.
Wild card Caroline Wozniacki, one other former champion and returning mom, will play 20th seed Magda Linette.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who surprised Djokovic final week earlier than beating Alcaraz in a charity match, will spearhead native hopes and begins his marketing campaign in opposition to Canadian former world quantity three Milos Raonic.