Alex de Minaur could be on track for epic Australian Open showdowns with Greece’s Stefanos Tsisipas and World No.1 Jannik Sinner by the quarterfinal stage, as most of the Aussies drew tough opponents in the opening rounds.
The Demon starts his campaign against Botic van de Zandschulp with the winner to face either a qualifier or Croatian Borna Coric.
Should de Minaur get through the draw and beat Tsitsipas in the fourth round he could then have to meet the men’s defending champion Sinner in the quarterfinals.
It’s an almighty test, but the 25-year-old will embrace the tag of Australia’s great hope at his home Open.
“I genuinely can’t wait to get out there and play in front of my home crowd,” de Minaur told fans at the ASICS Tennis Summit on Thursday at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club after marking 10 years with the Japanese sportswear.
“I’ve become a better version of myself and there’s always a lot more expectations when you get out there for the first time of the year.
“But more than anything I’m just excited to play in front of you guys.
“I know they’ve got my back from the very first point to the last and, jeez, I’m excited to get started.”
Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios has tested out his abdominal injury in a practice session showing promising signs that he will be ready to go for the Australian Open. He drew Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in the opening round and could play second seed Alexander Zverev in the third round.
There was an injury cloud hanging over Kyrgios who withdrew from play this week due to an abdominal strain.
But the 29-year-old was back out on court at Melbourne Park, hitting with a training partner in front of fans. He looked in good spirits during the light workout, avoiding serving, which could have aggravated the injury.
“I’ve still got five days up my sleeve, so I’m probably not going to serve for the next couple of days,” Kyrgios told Channel Seven.
“I’ve got a couple of practices scheduled – I will do everything I can.”
Kyrgios returned to the court after more than 18 months out of the sport through unrelated injuries but played just one singles match and two doubles matches at the Brisbane International.
It’s just as tough for Alexei Popyrin. After drawing Corentin Moutet in Round 1, he could then set up an all-Aussie second round, with Rinky Hijikata if the latter can beat the qualifier who he’s drawn first up.
The winner is likely to take on the fifth seed Danil Medvedev in the third round. The Russian could then be set for a mouth-watering fourth showdown with fellow countryman Andrey Rublev.
Alex de Minaur. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Jordan Thompson has also drawn a qualifier in the opening round, but if he can win two matches will run into World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz. In the same part of the draw, Thanasi Kokkinakis will play Roman Safiullin to start his campaign.
As for the other Australians, Adam Walton plays Quentin Halys, Christopher O’Connell has a tough first-round encounter with the in-form Tommy Paul, Aleksandar Vukic will meet Damir Dzumhur and James Duckworth is scheduled to meet Dominic Stricker.
There are four Aussie Wild Cards, with Tristan Schoolkate taking on Japan’s Taro Daniel, James McCabe drawing a qualifier in the first round, Li Tu facing a challenge in 24th seed Jiri Lehecka and Omar Jasika taking on Hugo Gaston.
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World No.7 Novak Djokovic has drawn US Wild Card Nishesh Basavareddy in Round 1 and would fancy his chances of setting up a showdown with Alcaraz, with Grigor Dimitrov the best placed to cause an upset.
The Serbian is on the other side of the draw to Sinner meaning they can only meet in the final.
There are also major challenges for the Australians on the women’s side of the draw with Aija Tomlianovic drawn to take on American Ashlyn Krueger in the opening round, while Daria Saville takes on Anna Blinkova.
After an impressive performance against the world No.9 Daria Kasatkina at the Adelaide International, 16-year-old Emerson Jones will face the sixth-ranked Elena Rybakina.
While 18-year-old Maya Joint faces seventh seed Jessica Pegula from the United States, Wild Card Aussie Talia Gibson will take on Zeynep Sonmez, and Australia’s United Cup entrant, Olivia Gadecki has drawn Veronika Kudermetova.
World Number One and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face American Sloane Stephens in the opening round.
Coco Gauff is a potential semi-final rival for Sabalenka, with the American drawing fellow Americans Sofia Kenin and Jessica Pegula in the same section of the draw.
Another major chance is Poland’s Iga Swiatek but she could face two fellow seeds out of Ekaterina Alexandrova, Victoria Azarenka and Anna Kalinskaya just to get past the fourth round.
The Australian Open starts on Sunday, with the final to be held on Australia Day.
– with AAP