2 months, 3 weeks ago

Alex de Minaur faces difficult Australian Open draw, Emerson Jones to face former Wimbledon champ

Alex de Minaur is embracing the pressure and expectations after copping a devilish draw for the Australian Open in Melbourne. De Minaur will launch his Open campaign against big-hitting Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, with former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas lurking as potentially the great home hope's first big threat. De Minaur's first projected seeded opponent is Argentina's world number 31 Francisco Cerundolo in the third round, with 2023 runner-up Tsitsipas possibly awaiting in the last 16. Last season de Minaur became the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 20 years to reach three consecutive grand slam quarter-finals, raising hopes he can finally break the near-half-century home title drought in the Melbourne Park men's singles. And seeking an unprecedented 25th grand slam singles crown, 10-time Open champion Novak Djokovic will play American wildcard Nishesh Basavarareddy, the world number 133, in the first round.

ABC

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