- Brutal first round match for Alex de Minaur
The Australian Open draw has been finalised – and it wasn’t good news for some of the locals, especially sixth seed Alex de Minaur.
Adam Walton drew world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the first round, while Sydney-raised de Minaur will begin his campaign against Italian veteran Matteo Berrettini, who is a former Wimbledon finalist.
If ‘Demon’ gets the better of Berrettini, US star Frances Tiafoe could await in the third round.
Elsewhere, Alexei Popyrin will fancy his chances against Alexandre Muller, wildcard Jordan Thompson will draw a crowd versus Juan Manuel Cerundolo, as will Rinky Hijikata in his clash with Adrian Mannarino.
Fellow locals Chris O’Connell and James Duckworth will take on qualifiers while Frenchman Corentin Moutet will need to overcome a vocal local crowd when he plays Tristan Schoolkate.
The final Aussie in action is Aleksandar Vukic, who will lock horns with Argentine Thiago Augstin Tirante.
The Australian Open draw has been finalised – and it wasn’t good news for some of the locals, especially sixth seed Alex de Minaur (pictured, with fiancée Katie Boulter)
Sydney-raised de Minaur will begin his campaign against Italian veteran Matteo Berrettini, who is a former Wimbledon finalist
In the women’s draw, Aussie young gun and 30th seed Maya Joint will take on Tereza Valentova from the Czech Republic, with Daria Kasatkina and Kimberly Birrell both drawing qualifiers.
It was the same story for Ajla Tomljanovic and Priscilla Hon, while Talia Gibson will line up against Anna Blinkova.
Emerson Jones plays fellow teenager Victoria Mboko and Taylah Preston will do battle with Shuai Zhang.
Confirmation of the draw follows luckless Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrawing from the Australian Open men’s singles as he battles ongoing injury concerns.
Kokkinakis, 29, confirmed in an Instagram story he will still attempt to play doubles with Nick Kyrgios.
The pair famously won the title together in 2022.
‘Unfortunately after speaking with my team and doctors I have made the decision to pull out of the Australian Open singles,’ Kokkinakis posted in an Instagram story on Thursday.
‘After an incredibly tough year this was the event I was looking forward to the most, but I’m not ready yet.
In the women’s draw, Aussie young gun and 30th seed Maya Joint will take on Tereza Valentova from the Czech Republic
Thanasi Kokkinakis has withdrawn from the Australian Open men’s singles as he battles ongoing injury concerns (pictured, his Instagram story confirming the development)
‘I’m doing everything I can to be back to 100 per cent.
‘We will still try and step out for the doubles and have some fun.’
Kokkinakis has struggled to stay on court the past couple of years.
The injury-prone star even had surgery where he had the Achilles tendon of a deceased person knotted between his shoulder and pectoral muscle.
Play at Melbourne Park begins on Sunday, January 18.
