World primary Jannik Sinner was drawn Thursday towards big-hitting Nicolas Jarry to begin his Australian Open protection whereas Novak Djokovic is on a collision course to fulfill Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals. Italy’s Sinner defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in final 12 months’s last in Melbourne to safe his first main and went on so as to add the US Open and ATP Finals crowns to his assortment. Meanwhile, Djokovic is ready to face American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy, whose dad and mom hail from Nellore, India.
But the highest seed will start his title protection beneath a doping cloud after testing twice constructive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.
He was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency however is awaiting the result of an attraction by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The 23-year-old may meet Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas or Australian Alex de Minaur within the quarter-finals, and Medvedev within the semis.
Serbia’s Djokovic drew American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy to begin however has an enormous process in entrance of him to win an eleventh Australian Open and document twenty fifth Grand Slam.
He is seeded to fulfill world quantity 10 Grigor Dimitrov in spherical 4 and Spain’s Alcaraz within the final eight, earlier than a possible conflict with Alexander Zverev within the semi-finals.
Alcaraz will get beneath manner towards Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, who scored a confidence-boosting win over world quantity 11 Tsitsipas on the current United Cup match.
Zverev will meet French wildcard Lucas Pouille.
In the ladies’s draw, world primary Aryna Sabalenka kicks off her title protection towards American former US Open winner Sloane Stephens.
The Belarusian high seed is trying to change into the primary lady since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive titles.
World quantity three Coco Gauff additionally faces a difficult begin, towards 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.
But second seed Iga Swiatek was handed a neater project towards Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova, ranked 46.
However, the Polish star has sixth seed Elena Rybakina and eighth seed Emma Navarro in her half of the draw.
Two-time main runner-up and fourth seed Jasmine Paolini takes on a qualifier, as does Chinese fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, who misplaced to Sabalenka in final 12 months’s last.
In one other notable match, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka opens towards Caroline Garcia in a repeat of final 12 months’s first spherical conflict that the French participant received.
Should all go to plan, Sabalenka may meet Zheng within the quarter-finals and Gauff within the semis, with Swiatek projected to face Paolini within the final 4.
The Australian Open begins Sunday.
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