The 2023 Australian Open draw has been locked in.
There were mixed fortunes for many of the Australians, but a number of mouth-watering clashes could eventuate based on projections.
Top-ranked Aussie Nick Kyrgios received a favourable draw, but could line up against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals should both win their way through to the final eight. Kyrgios, as the tournament’s 19th seed, will begin his campaign against Russian Roman Safiullin.
22nd seed Alex de Minaur will play a qualifier in the opening round. He could come up against Djokovic in the fourth round.
Three-time grand Slam champion Andy Murray – fresh off beating De Minaur at the Kooyong Classic on Thursday - will face 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in the opening round.
Another home-grown talent in Thanasi Kokkinakis has drawn Italian Fabio Fognini, who has reached as high as no.9 in the world.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal will begin his campaign with a tricky assignment against in-form Brit Jack Draper as he searches for his 23rd major title. Draper is 40th in the world.
Meanwhile, tournament favourite Djokovic will play Spaniard Roberto Caraballes Baena in the first round.
On the women’s side, Australia’s best hope and world no.35, Ajla Tomljanovic, will play Argentine Nadia Podoroska, ranked 192 in the world.
Another headline clash will be that between Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka, two former Australian Open champions, who will meet in the first round.
Kenin took out the 2020 edition of the Grand Slam, while Azarenka is a two-time winner, both in 2012 and 2013.
The winner of that match could play Tomljanovic in the second round, provided she advances.
Meanwhile, women’s world no.1 Iga Swiatek will play Germany’s Julie Niemeier in the opening round.
Seventh seed Coco Gauff will face one of the tougher draws if she wins her first round, given she could come up against former world no.10 Emma Raducanu in just the second round.
Raducanu is currently ranked 75th in the world but claimed her maiden Grand Slam with the 2021 US Open.
However, the Brit is under an injury cloud ahead of next week’s tournament. Gauff and Raducanu are in the same quarter of the draw as Swiatek.