Australian Open
The draw for the first round of the 2023 Australian Open has thrown up some mouthwatering encounters and, from a British perspective, two intriguing clashes as rising British star Jack Draper faces the formidable challenge of taking on reigning champion Rafael Nadal, while the 35-year-old Andy Murray will have to face to prepare for a bruising battle against Itality’s Matteo Berrettini.
Andy Murray faces 13th seed Matteo Berrettini, while Novak Djokovic makes his Melbourne return against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena as he makes his return to the country he was deported from in somewhat darcial circumstances last january prior to the start of the tournament.
another Brit Emma Raducanu, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, has been drawn against Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch.
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it is still not yet known she will succesfully recorver from her ankle injury to participate in the opening Grand Slam of the season.
Raducanu, 20, could face seventh seed Coco Gauff in the second round in what would be a hotly-anticipated clash.
The Australian Open, which is the first Grand Slam tournament of the new season, takes place at Melbourne Park between 16 and 29 January.
21-year-old jack Draper, emerged as one of the rising stars on the ATP Tour last year and the left-hander has continued his rapid progress this season by reaching the Adelaide semi-finals.
But his debut in the main draw at Melbourne Park could not have been much tougher.
The defending champion Rafael Nadal, who has struggled with injuries and lost his two matches so far this year, remains a daunting prospect for most opponents.
However, the 22-time major champion would also probably not wish to start against a young talent who possesses the power and confidence of 40th-ranked Draper.
The Australian Open main draw will get underway at Melbourne Park on January 16 with the men’s final bringing the tournament to a close on January 29.
