Djokovic could face Murray in R3 Australian Open blockbuster

Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic could face former World No. 1 Andy Murray in the third round of the Australian Open.

The potential blockbuster was revealed at the draw ceremony Thursday at Melbourne Park. Djokovic will open against a qualifier or lucky loser and if he wins, will face a home favourite: Marc Polmans or Alexei Popyrin. Murray begins his event against 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Djokovic is fresh off a season in which he won three majors to increase his total to 24, a standalone record. One year ago, the Serbian at Melbourne Park tied what was then Rafael Nadal’s record for most Slam titles and reclaimed No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings from Carlos Alcaraz. The 36-year-old has won 28 consecutive matches at the season’s first major.

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The highest-seeded player in Djokovic’s quarter is the man he beat in the final last year: Stefanos Tsitsipas. The seventh seed, who has made three additional Australian Open semi-finals, will need to be sharp with former Top 10 star Matteo Berrettini his opening opponent.

Alcaraz, the second seed, will begin his tournament against former World No. 7 Richard Gasquet. Alcaraz leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head 1-0 after defeating the Frenchman 6-2, 6-2 in the 2021 Umag final.

The Spaniard did not play in Melbourne last year and this will be his third appearance. The last time he appeared in 2022, an 18-year-old Alcaraz lost in the third round to Berrettini.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev could play a qualifier or lucky loser in his first two matches (Emil Ruusuvuori or a qualifier/lucky loser loom in the second round). The two-time Australian Open finalist could take on 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round. The Canadian will face a stern opening test against former World No. 3 Dominic Thiem.

Fourth seed Jannik Sinner, fresh off a memorable run to the championship match of the Nitto ATP Finals, plays Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round.

Besides Djokovic, the only other Australian Open men’s singles champion in the draw is Stan Wawrinka (2014). The Swiss, currently World No. 56, will face a tricky first-round challenge against 20th seed Adrian Mannarino. The 16th seed, 2023 quarter-finalist Ben Shelton, is in that section and opens against former Top 10 standout Roberto Bautista Agut.

The top Australian hope, 10th seed Alex de Minaur, will try to withstand former World No. 3 Milos Raonic’s booming serve in the first round.