Defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was handed a troublesome begin to her title defence within the first main of the yr. The Belarusian will get going towards 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in her first spherical at Melbourne Park.
Ought to Sabalenka progress, she is on the right track to satisfy No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen within the quarterfinals in a rematch of final yr’s last.
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Sabalenka is making an attempt to win a 3rd consecutive ladies’s singles title at Melbourne Park, one thing final completed by Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999.
Sabalenka and WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff have been drawn into the highest half of the ladies’s singles draw.
Gauff, too, faces a Grand Slam winner on the first hurdle, as she opens towards 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Additionally in in Gauff’s quarter is two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who will face Caroline Garcia within the first spherical in Melbourne for a second straight yr.
The winner of that match might face No. 20 seed Karolina Muchova in Spherical 2, with No. 16 seed Jelena Ostapenko (or the returning Belinda Bencic) for the precise to doubtlessly face Gauff within the last-16.
Within the backside half of the draw, second seed Iga Swiatek opens towards Katerina Siniakova. She is in the identical half as No. Four seed Jasmine Paolini and No. 6 seed Elena Rybakina, and No. eight seed Emma Navarro.
Alcaraz, Djokovic in similar quarter
Looking for a 25th Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic has been positioned in the identical quarter as Carlos Alcaraz. However the duo have landed themselves in numerous half than reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Sinner surprised 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic within the semifinals final yr earlier than staging a comeback to beat Daniil Medvedev within the last 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-Three for his first Grand Slam singles title.
Prime-ranked Sinner has a first-round match towards Nicolas Jarry and in addition has Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Medvedev in his quarter of the draw.
The Australian Open begins Sunday morning in Melbourne and can run for 15 days.
