After the short break in tennis between seasons, it’s time for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year – in Melbourne.
This year’s competition is already underway, with our only hope for the men – Grigor Dimitrov eliminated in the first round.
He was injured again after also sitting out a few weeks ago with the same problem in Brisbane.
Who are the big favorites and what is their draw?
As the years progressed, the “big four” were almost erased from the world of tennis.
The last representative of this period who is still competing is the 24-time winner of the Grand Slam titles – Novak Djokovic.
Nole enters his most successful Slam tournament (he has won it 10 times in his career) with an interesting reshuffle in his team – this year his coaching staff will include one of his former rivals, Andy Murray.
Djokovic is in the quarters of Carlos Alcaraz, with the two scheduled to meet in the quarterfinals.
In the first round, both won convincingly with the Serbian losing a set but managing to turn the match around.
Grigor Dimitrov was in their half, which would have made things more interesting, but with him out, however, this quarter-final clash looks very likely, as both should have no trouble with their potential opponents.
Alexander Zverev’s quarter is in the same half of the draw.
On paper, he has the easiest path to the semi-finals, as the only serious opponent in his division is Kasper Ruud, who has already played five sets in his first match and is not particularly consistent on hard courts.
In the other half of the draw, world number one Yannick Siner, defending his title from last season, looks like the biggest favorite to win the tournament.
The Italian continues to be criticized for the doping scandal, but in recent months it seems that this does not bother him.
He continues to win matches and titles, and the decision in his case will become clear in April at the earliest.
Siner has relatively easy opponents on his way to the quarterfinals.
He will most likely have to go through tough Pole Hubert Hurkach and Australian Alex De Minor.
The rest of the competitors in this half are somewhat out of form.
Holger Rune has yet to capitalize on his talent due to his mental problems, and Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out in the first round by Mickelsen in four sets.
Perhaps the toughest quarter is the one where Sinner’s semi-final opponent Taylor Fritz is scheduled.
The American is fourth in the scheme.
Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, is again under everyone’s radar, despite being a three-time finalist in Australia and one of the most consistent players on hard courts.
The Russian is likely to meet Fritz in the quarterfinals.
Their quartet also includes Gael Monfils, Andrei Rublev, Ben Shelton and Francis Tiafoe.
Who should we expect to win?
Despite competition from incredible tennis players, bookmakers and pundits give Yannick Siner the best chance to defend his title in Australia.
According to the bookmakers, the second person with the greatest chance of triumph is Carlos Alcaraz, and the third and fourth are Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
However, we will find out in the next two weeks whether someone else will be able to make their way among the big favorites.