Defending champion Novak Djokovic will face Dino Prizmic (Croatia) in the opening match (15:00 on January 14), but this is considered a match with too much difference in level. Express Sport (UK) has selected 4 men's singles matches that promise to bring excitement in the first round of the Australian Open 2024.
Alcaraz meets tough opponent Richard Gasquet in the opening match of the 2024 Australian Open (Photo: AP).
Carlos Alcaraz faces Richard Gasquet (07:00, January 15) and the world number two is doubtful about his form. Alcaraz has not played well in the second half of 2023 and in his two most recent Australian Open appearances, he was eliminated in the third round. Meanwhile, Gasquet is highly regarded for his powerful backhand.
The highly anticipated match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini (07:00 on January 15) is a must-win. Tsitsipas is the runner-up at the Australian Open but his form has declined significantly. Former world No. 7 Berrettini missed the 2023 season due to injury and a win over Tsitsipas is an opportunity for the Italian to regain his position.
After defeating both Djokovic and Alcaraz in the first two events of 2024, Alex De Minaur will face Milos Raonic (07:00 on January 15) in the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. He is the number one hope of host Australia, but meeting former world number 3 Raonic early is a big challenge that De Minaur must overcome.
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem faces world No. 27 Auger-Aliassime, who is struggling to regain his form (07:00, January 15). Thiem defeated Auger-Aliassime to win the 2020 US Open, but the Canadian is considered the favorite to win this time.
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