Australian Open 2023 draw: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios in same quarter, Nadal faces tricky opening-round test
21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic faces a potential blockbuster quarter-final match against local hope Nick Kyrgios.
As the Australian Open organisers announced the draw for the season’s first Grand Slam tournament on Thursday, January 12. Djokovic will open his campaign against Spain’s Roberto Carballes as he eyes a record-extending 10th title in Melbourne.
Nick Kyrgios, who will begin his season with an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic on Friday at Melbourne Park, will open his campaign against Safiullin.
Kyrgios, who is expected to create a stir at his home Grand Slam after having reached his maiden major final at Wimbledon last year, faces a tricky route to the quarter-final as he faces a potential 3rd-round match against 9th seed Holger Rune.
Novak Djokovic is one of the favourites to win the crown at the Australian Open. The Serb, who was deported from the country last year, returned to Australia on a winning note, clinching the Adelaide International 1 title earlier in January. Djokovic’s visa ban was revoked and the 21-time Grand Slam winner has had a rousing reception so far from the crowd in Australia.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and former US Open champion Marin Cilic are some of the big absentees due to injury in the men’s singles draw.
Meanwhile, top seed Rafael Nadal, who has been going through a lean patch, could face Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster quarter-final. Nadal will face a tricky test against Briton Jack Draper in his opener, as the Spanish top seed looks to put an injury-hit 2022 and a shaky start to the new season behind him.
Medvedev takes on Marcos Giron first. Notably, Nadal defeated Medvedev to win his 21st Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open last year. Medvedev could face Adelaide International 1 finalist Sebastian Korda in the third round.
Second seed Casper Ruud – twice a runner-up on the Grand Slam stage last year – plays Tomas Machac.
SWIATEK vs GAUFF IN POTENTIAL QUARTERS
World No.1 Iga Swiatek starts her bid for a fourth major with a potentially tricky clash against German Niemeier.
The Polish player could face seventh seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals and third seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. Swiatek lost to Gauff in the United Cup and the Polish star was in tears after the defeat.
Women’s world number two Ons Jabeur will begin her latest attempt to become the first Arab player to claim a Grand Slam singles title when she plays Tamara Zidansek. Tunisian Jabeur was runner-up at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.
Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka will face off in an opening-round clash featuring two former champions.