This 12 months’s Australian Open boasts an Aussie contingent fairly not like every other 12 months.
With the boys’s facet rocked by withdrawals and the ladies’s with out reigning champion Ash Barty, it really is anybody’s for the taking on the first main of the 12 months.
The girls’s draw is especially intriguing given the one two Aussie girls ranked within the prime 160, Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville, are out by damage.
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It means there’s a very actual likelihood for the primary time at an Australian Open, no Aussie girls advance into the second spherical.
On the boys’s facet, with two seeded gamers – together with Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios – the wins ought to circulation extra freely.
A complete of 16 Australians might be competing in the primary singles attracts ranging from Monday – foxsports.com.au explains who they’ll play and predicts how they’ll fare.
Nick Kyrgios (world No.21)
First spherical opponent: Roman Safiullin (world No.98)
Entering this main as Australia’s top-ranked participant, there might be much more expectation on Kyrgios than standard, with Kyrgios himself admitting he’s feeling a few of it given he truly believes he can win the match this 12 months. It’s the most important variable in his quest for a maiden grand slam singles title.
Safiullin is a difficult buyer to attract for the Aussie first up, with the Russian enjoying an enormous recreation that may take issues out of his opponents’ arms when firing. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units on arduous courtroom in Marseille final 12 months, so he is aware of he’s succesful on his day.
Realistically, nevertheless, Kyrgios ought to at a minimal be successful by to the third spherical, the place he’s slated to satisfy ninth seed Holger Rune, who’s oozing with potential and may beat anybody on his day, as he proved together with his Paris Masters title run in November. Fifth seed Andrey Rublev could be his subsequent projected opponent, however Kyrgios may effectively enter that match as favorite.
He’d then be projected to satisfy Novak Djokovic, who nobody on this planet will enter favorite towards. Getting to that time is the problem for Kyrgios, however he’s set to offer Djokovic some kind of run for his cash if he does.
Verdict: Safiullin is a difficult opponent to open an Australian Open marketing campaign towards, however even with the 25-year-old’s credentials Kyrgios stays in charge of how this match will play out. Very few on this planet can match it with Kyrgios when he’s locked in.
The problem for Kyrgios is the psychological facet of the sport given the expectation on his shoulders coming into the match and the relative lack of match apply he’s had given an ankle damage he’s been managing. Still, he’ll enter comfy favorite within the first and second rounds earlier than he begins going through seeds and going through some gruelling prospects within the best-of-five set format.
As at all times, a variety of the result is dependent upon Nick, quite than who’s throughout the online.
Alex de Minaur (world No.24)
First spherical opponent: Yu Hsiou Hsu (world No.208)
De Minaur has been given a fantastic first outing with Hsu, who’s a strong participant however not one which needs to be in with an opportunity towards the world No.24. Hsu doesn’t boast big weaponry, which is nice news for de Minaur given the Australian generally finds himself overpowered by the bigger-hitting gamers.
De Minaur enters this 12 months’s match having had a breakthrough win over Rafael Nadal on the United Cup, which ought to supercharge his confidence. The unhealthy news for de Minaur is that issues don’t look as rosy past the primary spherical. He may probably face big-serving John Isner within the second spherical, whereas a third-round bout towards Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta is one other tough prospect.
Verdict: Hsu isn’t a participant de Minaur ought to have any bother defeating, given he primarily performs on the Challenger circuit and has needed to come by qualifying to seal a spot in the primary draw. It’s about pretty much as good a primary spherical draw as de Minaur may have hoped for, so it’s now about changing it into a cushty win and never expending an excessive amount of vitality.
From there, de Minaur may have his work reduce out for him, going through no scarcity of challenges if he’s to get by to the second week and go deep – in spite of everything Novak Djokovic probably awaits within the fourth spherical. His performances within the lead-up are extremely encouraging, nevertheless.
Chris O’Connell (world No.79)
First spherical opponent: Jenson Brooksby (world No.48)
Brooksby is a difficult opening match for O’Connell, however the good news for the Australian is that he defeated the American final 12 months on hardcourt, coming by in three units in San Diego. Brooskby received’t blow O’Connell off the courtroom and that is additionally his first Australian Open fundamental draw look.
There’s a stack of upside within the 22-year-old, however he’s nonetheless a methods off realising it absolutely. While he probably enters the match as favorite, Brooksby is effectively and really beatable for O’Connell, who’ll be buoyed by an enormous assist base.
Verdict: Brooksby enters the match the favorite on paper, however O’Connell has already confirmed he can beat the American on hardcourt, whereas the house crowd benefit is one other consider his favour.
It may simply be a protracted, gruelling match, however both method O’Connell might be proper in it and within the body for a 3rd consecutive journey to the second spherical of his dwelling slam – which might probably see him battling No.2 seed Casper Ruud.
Jordan Thompson (world No.85)
First spherical opponent: J.J. Wolf (world No.66)
Wolf can actually draw a crowd and create an environment, however Thompson wouldn’t be afraid of the American as they enter their first-round conflict. This might be Wolf’s first fundamental draw look on the Australian Open and simply his third fundamental draw look at a significant. After bowing out within the first spherical final 12 months to Steve Johnson, Thompson might be eager to do higher this time round.
Verdict: It’s a line ball contest right here, with each able to successful by. This may simply go 5 units and be crammed with drama, with each having tenaciousness on the courtroom and prone to be amped up additional by the Aussie ambiance.
The cagey Argentine No.23 seed Diego Schwartzman would probably be subsequent for the winner.
Jason Kubler (world No.86)
First spherical opponent: Sebastian Baez (world No.41)
Kubler has been affected by knee accidents throughout his profession, however has began to take pleasure in some extra consistency and a cost up the rankings consequently, now sitting within the prime 100 after beginning 2022 exterior the highest 200. Drawing the world No.41 isn’t nice on paper, however Baez has been effectively and really off form since his run to the finals of Bastad in July final 12 months. He misplaced 11 consecutive matches and received only one for the rest of the 12 months, then began his 2023 off with a loss in Pune. Kubler enters this with a real likelihood of successful and is comfortably the higher participant on kind.
Verdict: Kubler received’t get a significantly better likelihood to make it by to the second spherical of the Australian Open than this. He is under Baez within the rankings however has turned a nook in his profession as he enters his thirtieth 12 months. Body allowing, Kubler might be proper on this if he pounces early on Baez, whose kind stoop is critical.
Whoever wins is almost definitely to get No.18 seed Karen Khachanov within the second spherical – who made the semi-finals of the US Open final 12 months, although he has by no means been previous the third spherical at Melbourne Park.
Thanasi Kokkinakis (world No.110)
First spherical opponent: Fabio Fognini (world No.57)
This is prone to be probably the greatest matches of the opening spherical, with each Kokkinakis and Fognini boasting vital weaponry and an inclination to get the gang concerned. The flamable Fognini could effectively reply to the gang all through, however when he lets his racquet do the speaking he’s a power to be reckoned with and much better than his rating suggests. Kokkinakis has received each battles between the pair, however their final assembly on hardcourt got here in 2015. Fognini is not going to be a pushover and Kokkinakis has his work reduce out for him.
To be trustworthy, Kokkinakis has his work reduce out for him attending to the third spherical for the primary time, given his second-round opponent might be both Matteo Berrettini or Andy Murray.
Verdict: Kokkinakis ought to enter this match because the favorite regardless of his decrease rating. He has the sport to take out Fognini and the Italian is way from his top-10 better of yesteryear. Still, if there’s a recreation to be at within the opening spherical for Australian followers, it’s this one.
From there, it’d be silly to look anyplace past the second spherical given the calibre of participant that can await him there if he wins by.
Alexei Popyrin (world No.113)
First spherical opponent: Chun-Hsin Tseng (world No.117)
Popyrin performs his finest tennis on hardcourt and a variety of his finest tennis in January. He has put in two spectacular showings in each Adelaide lead-in occasions and took out Tseng in final 12 months’s US Open first spherical, coming by in straight units however requiring two tiebreakers to take action.
It’s about pretty much as good a gap spherical matchup as Popyrin may’ve hoped for given his rating, so the onus is on him to benefit from it. Eighth seed Taylor Fritz will take some beating within the second spherical ought to Fritz overcome tough buyer Nikoloz Basilashvili within the opening spherical.
Verdict: Popyrin at all times attracts a crowd Down Under and might be buoyed by the assist in addition to assured in his kind thus far in 2023. Tseng will current some challenges, however Popyrin enters this one comfortably within the field seat. Likely second spherical opponent Taylor Fritz is way much less comfy, however he’s prevented the highest 5 seeds and that’s at all times trigger for hope.
Aleksandar Vukic (world No.129)
First spherical opponent: Brandon Holt (world No.216)
Coming by qualifying, Vukic has bought a dream first-round towards Holt, going through a fellow qualifier. Vukic loved his first fundamental draw singles win at a significant right here final 12 months and might be on the lookout for a second consecutive look within the second spherical. While he’s by no means been capable of crack the highest 100, Vukic upset the thirtieth seed right here final 12 months in Lloyd Harris, so he can play locked in tennis on his day.
Verdict: Vukic enters the favorite towards Holt, which might be welcome stress for the Australian given he may’ve simply drawn much more formidable opponents. No match is simple at grand slam stage, however Vukic must capitalise on the draw he’s been given.
Would probably play No.24 seed Roberto Bautista Agut within the second spherical the place given the Spaniard’s expertise Vukic could be a transparent underdog.
John Millman (world No.148)
First spherical opponent: Marc-Andrea Huesler (world No.55)
Winning by qualifying after which his first spherical at Adelaide International 2 could’ve performed a world of fine for Millman, who has struggled for kind and consistency in current instances and returned to the Challenger circuit consequently. Huesler is a gradual performer, however Millman has the potential to trigger an upset right here towards the left-hander and get by to the second spherical right here for the sixth time in his profession.
Verdict: Millman has not been enjoying on the stage he as soon as did, however the 33-year-old is effectively and really within the body for a win over Huesler, who’s a strong participant with out being really threatening on the Tour simply but. The Australian will thrive on the native assist after a backend of 2022 spent largely at Challenger occasions with middling crowds.
A probable second-round match-up with Daniil Medvedev, a back-to-back finalist at Melbourne Park, would closely restrict Millman’s prospects from there.
Rinky Hijikata (world No.169)
First spherical opponent: Yannick Hanfmann (world No.128)
Lots separates these two in age – Hanfmann is a decade older – however little or no separates them within the rankings and within the matchup itself. It’s the primary time they’ve met on the Tour, however each have had a relative lack of success in the primary draw of majors, with Hanfmann’s second-round look right here final 12 months his finest at any slam.
At simply 21, Hijikata has much more upside, which he confirmed on the US Open final 12 months when he took a set off Rafael Nadal. He pushed Denis Shapovalov to a deciding set in Adelaide and is in some superb kind.
Verdict: Hijikata’s rating is a bit deceptive given he’s 21 and discovering his ft at Tour stage. He is certainly capable of get a win over Hanfmann in his first assembly based mostly on the shape he has proven within the lead-up and Hanfmann is a good draw for him first up regardless of the German’s big-hitting recreation.
A possible blockbuster conflict with No.3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas would loom within the second spherical.
Max Purcell (world No.204)
First spherical opponent: Emil Ruusuvuori (world No.46)
He received his method by qualifying with out dropping a set, however Purcell may have his work reduce out for him towards Ruusuvuori, who appears a category above on paper. Purcell has loved most of his success at doubles stage, however has proven promise at Challenger stage in singles. Still, Ruusuvuori is a troublesome buyer regardless that he hasn’t loved a lot success at majors, by no means progressing previous the second spherical at any of them. At 23, he’s additionally on the up and misplaced simply three video games within the pair’s solely assembly again in 2020.
Verdict: Purcell has performed effectively to qualify, however Ruusuvuori enters Tuesday’s match as a cushty favorite, trying to enhance on final 12 months’s underwhelming Australian summer season outcomes. Whoever wins might be an underdog within the second spherical towards the victor of the brutal Andrey Rublev-Dominic Thiem conflict.
Jaimee Fourlis (world No.160)
First spherical opponent: Linda Fruhvirtova (world No.80)
The retirement of Ash Barty and accidents to each Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville make Fourlis the best ranked Australian lady within the draw, which is weird given her rating of world No.160. She will enter a cushty underdog towards Fruhvirtova, who regardless of being world No.80 is bettering at speedy velocity, successful her first WTA Tour title final 12 months regardless of being simply 17 years of age. The Czech will fancy her probabilities of making it to the second spherical in Australia for the primary time. Should Fourlis trigger an upset, seeded Kaia Kanepi or compatriot Kim Birrell await within the second spherical.
Verdict: Fourlis could be the top-ranked Australian lady on this 12 months’s draw, however to count on her to defeat Fruhvirtova could also be hoping for a bit a lot. She’s comfortably the extra skilled age-wise at 23, however Fruhvirtova has already loved extra success at WTA stage regardless of being a teen.
Kimberley Birrell (world No.166)
First spherical opponent: Kaia Kanepi (world No.32)
Ironically, Kanepi could also be extra of an opportunity to lose towards Birrell than she could be towards a seeded participant. The Estonian has made a behavior of taking out a number of the recreation’s greatest names over her profession and made an unlikely quarter-final run right here final 12 months. The 37-year-old typically wins or loses video games on her personal racquet, so Birrell should hope her opponent is having an off day. Birrell hasn’t managed to win a fundamental draw match at a significant since her third-round run on the 2019 Australian Open, which gave technique to a nasty elbow damage that noticed her rating plummet. If she manages to defeat Kanepi, Birrell would have a good likelihood towards both of her second-round opponents in fellow Aussie Jaimee Fourlis or world No.80 Linda Fruhvirtova.
Verdict: There’s an enormous discrepancy within the rankings, however Kanepi’s erratic model of play means there’s at all times an opportunity of an upset win, with Birrell higher than her rating suggests as a result of position damage has performed in her profession. She may simply take a set off Kanepi and received’t have a lot stress on her in any respect given her opponent’s rating.
If each Birrell and Fourlis win on Tuesday they might face one another within the second spherical.
Olivia Gadecki (world No.200)
First spherical opponent: Polina Kudermetova (world No.182)
Mentored by reigning Australian Open champion Ash Barty, Gadecki was absent from each her dwelling slam and US Open final 12 months as a consequence of her refusal to be vaccinated towards Covid-19. She’s again now and world No.200 doesn’t do her skill justice given the tennis she missed final 12 months and the very fact she’s simply 20 years of age. Similarly, Kudermetova’s rating isn’t reflective of her skill given she is simply 19 years of age. She’ll enter favorite within the match, however count on to see these two conflict many extra instances within the years forward as they realise their potential.
Verdict: Kudermetova will get the sting on this one given she’s received her method by qualifying and has already proven a lot at 19 years of age. It could possibly be a seesawing affair although and one to look at through the years as they work their method up the rankings.
Amanda Anisimova, a former French Open semi-finalist, or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk loom within the second spherical for the winner.
Storm Hunter (world No.227)
First spherical opponent: Wang Xinyu (world No.89)
Xinyu is trying to attain the second spherical right here for the second consecutive 12 months and is step by step constructing at 21 years of age. Hunter has struggled for kind at Tour stage and was soundly crushed by Xinyu in March final 12 months on the Miami Open qualifying. A much more certified doubles participant, Hunter could wrestle to make inroads within the singles draw.
Verdict: Hunter is but to win by to the second spherical of the Australian Open singles attract her profession and she or he’ll probably wrestle right here towards a participant who’s wanting extra assured as annually passes and she or he grows into her recreation. An much more troublesome job towards reigning semi finalist Madison Keys would probably be subsequent.
Talia Gibson (world No.340)
First spherical opponent: Clara Burel (world No.131)
She could also be world No.340, however Gibson boasts a stack of potential, with the 18-year-old launching herself up the rankings from 1200 at the beginning of final 12 months. There’s rather a lot to love about Gibson and her probabilities of successful by the primary spherical solely elevated when she drew a qualifier in Burel. While a really promising junior, Burel is but to make the second spherical on the Australian Open, however is coming off a third-round look ultimately 12 months’s US Open. That run noticed her rating leap up, however Gibson will nonetheless fee herself a real likelihood on Monday.
Verdict: Burel simply has extra success at main stage, however Gibson is having fun with a meteoric stand up the rankings and is oozing with potential. Burel nonetheless enters favorite given the appreciable improvement nonetheless forward for Gibson; the winner could get 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova subsequent.
Originally printed as Genuine title risk; ugly Aus Open reality we will’t ignore — Verdict on each Aussie’s probabilities
