The Australian Open takes centre stage again on Sunday. Here’s a mouth-watering look at what to expect in the first round and beyond…
First-round matches
Gael Monfils v Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
If you have any French connection at all, be sure to get yourself courtside for this one. Tour warrior and super-veteran Monfils and drawn countryman Mpetshi Perricard, aged 21. Monfils first played the Australian Open main draw 20 years ago, and he’s still plying his trade in professional tennis. Mpetshi Perricard is an excitement machine, boasting a monster serve and a big game. He beat Nick Kyrgios in the Australian’s return to singles action in Brisbane.
Matteo Arnaldi v Lorenzo Musetti
The Lygon Street brigade will descend on Melbourne Park for this early tournament clash. Italian tennis is enjoying a purple patch. They’ve won the past two Davis Cups and, in the women’s draw, Jasmine Paolini has surged to the world No.4 ranking thanks to some eye-catching runs in the majors last year. At virtually the same age – Arnaldi (23) and Musetti (22) – know each other well, but the latter has a 2-0 record against his countryman.
Naomi Osaka v Caroline Garcia
Tennis draws can throw up some strange outcomes. Two-time former champion Naomi Osaka and Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia also clashed in last year’s first round at Melbourne Park. Three of their four head-to-head clashes happened in 2024, while their first match happened in the Australian Open second round four years ago. Osaka will be desperately hoping to regain some of her best form in Melbourne.
Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open last year.Credit: Eddie Jim
Belinda Bencic v Jelena Ostapenko
Latvia’s 2017 Roland-Garros champion Ostapenko is one to watch, while Bencic is coming back to the tour as a mum. Ostapenko is back up to a reasonable ranking (No.17) while world No.421 Bencic is firmly on the comeback trail. They’ve played twice previously, including an Australian Open second round clash five years ago.
Coco Gauff v Sofia Kenin
This is a danger match for Gauff, one of the most in-form players on the WTA Tour. Gauff should get the job done but former champion Kenin can sometimes surprise. Both players have a major title to their name after Gauff reigned supreme at the 2023 US Open. Don’t be surprised if world No.3 Gauff makes further inroads at the top of women’s tennis by the end of the year.
Coco Gauff with the United Cup trophy this week.Credit: Getty Images for Tennis Australia
Looking Ahead – potential match-ups
Nick Kyrgios v Alex Zverev (third round)
Are you taking notice, TV broadcasters? If the Kyrios comeback reaches at least the round of 32 (fingers crossed), the German world No.2 could be next in the Australian’s path. Zverev and Kyrgios don’t really have a frosty history but a Thursday or Friday showdown should have plenty of spice.
Carlos Alcaraz v Jordan Thompson (third round)
Australian Jordan Thompson is enjoying career-best form and the benefits of a seeding that come with a zoom up the rankings. But he could face a reality check in the form of a clash versus Alcaraz, a player already with the Wimbledon, Roland-Garros and US Open titles to this name. Channel Nine would be pencilling this clash in as a ratings winner.
Novak Djokovic v Reilly Opelka (third round)
The Serbian 10-time champion drew nicely with American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy first-up. But if Djokovic goes all the way to another Melbourne Park title, no doubt he’ll have earned it. World No.1 Jannik Sinner is on the other half of the draw, but it could be his third-round opponent who offers a bit of trouble. American Opelka is on the comeback trail after injuries and defeated the former world No.1 at the Brisbane International. Bring on another clash.
Aryna Sabalenka v Mirra Andreeva (fourth round)
Sabalenka has been known to surge through the rounds at the Australian Open, but perhaps this shapes an unexpected roadblock. Young gun Andreeva plays with plenty of confidence and is suddenly and seemingly on a path to the world’s top 10. Expect two-time defending champion Sabalenka to safely beat former US Open champion Sloane Stephens first-up. Beyond that? The women’s draw always surprises.
Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz (men’s final)
Thank goodness the two stars of the game are on opposite sides of the draw. Without looking too far ahead, a Sinner versus Alcaraz men’s final in two weeks shapes as a beauty. For a player who could have a career grand slam in his grasp by the end of the tournament, Alcaraz shapes as a bit of an unknown in Melbourne, but he did reach the quarters 12 months ago.
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