World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will begin his title defence at the Australian Open with a first-round match against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, according to the draw ceremony held in Melbourne on Thursday.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is set to face rising American youngster Nishesh Basavareddy, who has been awarded a wildcard.
Third-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, aiming to complete the Career Slam, will take on Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in the opening round.
Second-seeded German Alexander Zverev begins his campaign against French wildcard Lucas Pouille. Djokovic is projected to meet Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, with the winner potentially facing Zverev in the semifinals.
Fourth seed and last year’s US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz faces fellow American Jenson Brooksby in the first round. Fritz could meet Sinner in the semifinals, in what would be a rematch of the 2024 US Open final.
Fifth seed and three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev will open his campaign against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej. The Russian is drawn in the same quarter as Fritz.
First-round matches to keep an eye on:-
- [1] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs Nicolas Jarry (CHI)
- [18] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
- Matteo Berrettini (ITA) vs Cameron Norrie (GBR)
- [11] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs Alex Michelsen (USA)
- [30] Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) vs Gael Monfils (FRA)
- [3] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs Alexander Shevchenko (KAZ)
- Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs Jacob Fearnley (GBR)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com