Novak Djokovic’s chase for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title will start against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena – but he will not meet Rafael Nadal until a potential dream final.
Nadal will have to leave his slow start to the year behind if that is to become a reality, with big-striking British left-hander Jack Draper hoping to cause a first-round boilover against the defending champion.
Novak Djokovic practices at Melbourne Park on Thursday, ahead of the Australian Open.Credit:Getty Images
Djokovic’s first test may not come until a possible round-of-32 showdown with Grigor Dimitrov, but he also may need to go through Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in what would be a blockbuster quarter-final and rematch of their Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios, who became the 19th seed when Marin Cilic pulled out, drew Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round but is projected to clash with teenage top-tenner Holger Rune in the round of 32, then potentially fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
Fourth-seeded Djokovic will return to the No.1 ranking if he wins another Melbourne Park title. Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas can also snatch top billing in the men’s game if they win their maiden grand slam championship.
Nadal may have to beat Yoshihito Nishioka, Karen Khachanov or Frances Tiafoe, Hubert Hurkacz and dual runner-up Daniil Medvedev to make it to the semi-finals, where Tsitsipas could be waiting.
Nick Kyrgios goes through his paces on Thursday.Credit:Getty Images
The 22-time grand slam titlist, who has lost both his matches this year to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur, rallied from two sets down to break Medvedev’s heart in a thrilling final 12 months ago.
Australia’s only other seeded player, de Minaur, landed in the same quarter as Kyrgios and Djokovic, but the No.22 seed – who made the fourth round last year – must first defeat a qualifer.
Among the other marquee first-round encounters are Matteo Berrettini-Andy Murray, Rublev-Dominic Thiem, Sebastian Korda-Cristian Garin, and Thanasi Kokkinakis-Fabio Fognini.
On the women’s side, world No.1 Iga Swiatek drew Germany’s Julie Niemeier in her opener, while WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia is on the opposite side of the draw and faces a qualifier or lucky loser first-up.
Garcia might need to account for fellow French player Alize Cornet, a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park last year, in the second round.
Australia’s top-ranked woman Ajla Tomljanovic’s bid to match retired defending champion Ash Barty’s heroics from last year begin against Argentinian Nadia Podoroska, but her path beyond that is littered with danger.
The winner between past Australian Open champions Victoria Azarenka or Sofia Kenin will be Tomljanovic’s second-round opponent.
Madison Keys (third round), Maria Sakkari (fourth round), Jessica Pegula (quarter-finals), Swiatek (semi-finals) and Ons Jabeur, Garcia or Aryna Sabalenka are the leading final contenders on the other side.
The player Barty beat to win the 2022 title, American Danielle Collins, will take on Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in the first round.
There could be a match-up of young guns if Brit Emma Raducanu and seventh-seeded American Coco Gauff win their openers, while Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk and 28th seed Amanda Anisimova drew each other in a brutal first-round clash.
Young Australian wildcards Olivia Gadecki and Talia Gibson both drew a qualifier or lucky loser for their grand slam main draw debut.
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