World number one Jannik Sinner has been drawn against Chilean powerhouse Nicolás Jarry in the opening round of the Australian Open as he begins his title defence in Melbourne, MySportDab Reports.
The 23-year-old Italian, who defeated Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final to claim his maiden Grand Slam, will look to continue his dominance after also winning the US Open and ATP Finals in 2023.
However, Sinner’s preparation has been clouded by a doping controversy after testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March. He was cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, but the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision.
Sinner could face Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas or Australian Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final clash against Medvedev.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, bidding for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam, will start his campaign against American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.
The Serbian star faces a challenging path, with a projected fourth-round meeting against Grigor Dimitrov and a quarter-final blockbuster against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. If he advances, a semi-final showdown with Alexander Zverev could await. Alcaraz, the second seed, begins against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko.
Zverev, the fourth seed, will take on French wildcard Lucas Pouille in his opener.
Sabalenka Eyes Third Straight Title
In the women’s draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces a tough opening-round battle against former US Open winner Sloane Stephens. The Belarusian top seed is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.
World number three Coco Gauff also has a tricky opener against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, while second seed Iga Swiatek was handed a relatively easier first-round matchup against Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova.
Sabalenka is projected to face fifth seed Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals and Gauff in the semi-finals, while Swiatek could meet sixth seed Elena Rybakina or eighth seed Emma Navarro en route to the last four.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka will begin her campaign against Caroline Garcia in a repeat of last year’s first-round clash, which Garcia won.
The Australian Open kicks off on Sunday.
