Australian Open draw explained: Djokovic, Alcaraz on quarterfinal collision course

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have been grouped in the same quarter of the men’s singles draw of the Australian Open, the season’s first Grand Slam tournament, starting January 14.

Alcaraz, who is yet to win the Australian Open crown, will start his campaign against Alexander Shevchenko while Djokovic, bidding to reclaim his dominance in Melbourne, will take on 19-year-old American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner, the top seed, is in the opposite half of the draw, potentially setting up a semifinal encounter with No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev. Sinner’s path includes a challenging quarterfinal seeded eighth against Australia’s No. 1, Alex de Minaur, who is the eight seed in the men’s singles draw. De Minaur, who has never defeated Sinner in their previous nine meetings, opens against Botic van de Zandschulp.

Other notable first-round matches feature Nick Kyrgios, who could meet No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in the third round, and Jack Draper, the 15th seed, beginning his tournament amidst concerns over a hip injury.

All eyes will be on Novak Djokovic as the Serb bids to win a record-breaking 11th Australian Open crown and his 25th Grand Slam crown. Djokovic finished 2024 without a Grand Slam title as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz shared the four majors between them.

Having roped in Andy Murray to his coaching team, Djokovic will be hoping for a quick turnaround in Melbourne. He did not have an ideal start to the season as he was knocked out in Brisbane International, an Australian Open tune-up event, in the quarter-final.

Meanwhile, India’s Sumit Nagal, who earned a direct entry to the main draw, will open his campaign against 26th seed Tomas Machac in the first round.

POTENTIAL QUARTERFINAL LINE-UP
MEN’S SINGLES

Jannik Sinner (1) vs Alex de Minaur (8)
Taylor Fritz (4) vs Daniil Medvedev (5)
Novak Djokovic (7) vs Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Casper Ruud (6) vs Alexander Zverev (2)

WOMEN’S SINGLES

Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Qinwen Zheng (5)
Coco Gauff (3) vs Jessica Pegula (7)
Elena Rybakina (6) vs Jasmine Paolini (4)
Emma Navarro (8) vs Iga Swiatek (2)

The women’s draw sets up a potential semifinal between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and No. 3 seed Coco Gauff. Sabalenka, aiming for her third consecutive Australian Open title, faces former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in a challenging first-round match. Gauff begins her campaign against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.

In the bottom half, No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek could face No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. Rybakina’s first-round opponent is Australian wildcard Emerson Jones, making her Grand Slam debut.

British No. 1 Katie Boulter, seeded 23rd, looks to advance beyond the early rounds after previous early exits in Grand Slams. She opens her tournament following a strong showing leading Great Britain to the United Cup quarterfinals.