Nadal’s title defence does not look altogether straightforward after drawing one of the tour’s up-and-coming stars 🎾 jamesgraysport via iPaperSport AusOpen
Djokovic’s biggest test though may be recovering from a niggle in his hamstring: the Serb had medics on the court and failed to finish practice on Wednesday, with rumours abound that he could pull out of his sellout exhibition against Nick Kyrgios on Friday.
In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek is the runaway favourite for the title, but has a distinctly American feel to her predicted route to victory with the United Cup-winning nation providing three of her predicted opponents: 2022 finalist Danielle Collins, beaten finalist at the French Open Coco Gauff and world No 3 Jessica Pegula.
If fit, Djokovic will expect to make short work of Carballes Baena and Dellien in the opening rounds, while he has a 9-1 head-to-head record against Grigor Dimitrov, the man expected to meet him in the third round. He might have some concerns about taking on Pablo Carreno Busta again. The Spaniard beat him in Tokyo back in 2021 to claim Olympic bronze, and the hot, humid, slow conditions on that day were reminiscent of what is expected in Melbourne., although the Dane will probably have to come through Andrey Rublev first.
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