Alcaraz hits the Djokovic jackpot in a scary Australian Open draw, better luck for Sinner

The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz21 years old and world No. 3, will start his official season against Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko24 years old and number 72 ATP. It was determined by the draw for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of 2025, which will be held in Melbourne between January 12 and 26.

This is the Murcian’s second date with the naturalized Russian, whom he destroyed (6-2 and 6-1) on the clay court in Madrid last season. Alcaraz has not competed in singles since defeating the Dutchman in the Davis Cup singles Tallon Griekspoorin November, although he has played exhibition matches, such as this week’s loss against Alex de Minaur in a Rod Laver center who steps up again this Friday to face another Australian, Alexei Popyrin.

The hype marks two different parts in the trajectory that awaits Alcaraz at the Grand Slam that has been his worst so far. Quarterfinalist in 2024, his best result, he was beaten by the German Alexander Zverevwhich passes through difficult Spanish and Serbian sections Novak Djokovic.

The jackpot in the quarterfinals went to Carlos Alcaraz. The most formidable rival for that side is the current No. 7, even a ten-time Australian Open champion at the age of 37. AND Djokovic He headed to the pupil of Juan Carlos Ferrero. They will now find themselves in the quarters.

In a complex sprint, the survivor, according to the theory, will face Alexander Zverev in the semifinals and the current champion and world No. 1, the Italian Jannik Sinner, who leads the table on the other side, will enter the final.

The first half of the competition, however, could help Alcaraz enter the competition at a sufficient pace. Opening the way against Alexander Shevchenko, I will continue with the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka or a player from the previous stage. In the third round, a possible hard seed like the Australian Jordan Thompson or French Alexandre Muller. The final attack will be described in a round of 16 matchup with the British Jack Draperwho was his executioner in the last Queen and had to pass a section where the American was also found Sebastian Korda and the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

More failures can be seen in the journey of Novak Djokovic, who debuted in a new USA figure, Nishesh Basavareddy19 years old. Then, the Russian Pavel Kotov or a ‘qualy’. And in the third he will meet the American again Reilly Opekathe ‘gunner’ who can handle him in Brisbane, or he will face the uncomfortable Czech Tomas Macac. In the round of 16, the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov or the czech Jiri Lehecka.

Alexander Zverev World no. 2, I’ll wait for Alcaraz or Djokovic in the semis if he beats the Frenchman Lucas Pouille input. Next, the Spaniard Pedro Martínez or the Italian Luciano Darderi, the Australian Nick Kyrgios or the Argentine Sebastián Báez, eighth with a Frenchman, Arthur Fils or Ugo Humbert, and fourth against the Norwegian Casper Ruud or the American Tommy Paul.

Jannik Sinneroutside the match of Alcaraz-Djokovic-Zverev to the final, the defense of the crown will begin against a strong rival for a preliminary eliminator, the Chilean Nicolás Jarry. In the second, the Japanese Taro Daniel or the local Tristan Schoolkate; third with the Italian Flavio Cobolli and eighth against the Dane Holger Rune, the italian Matteo Berrettini or polish Hubert Hurkacz. In the quarterfinals he will face Australian Alex de Miñaur or Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. In the semifinals, his victim in the 2024 final, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, or the American Taylor Fritz.

The Italian was lucky to avoid heavyweights Alcaraz, Djokovic and Zverev, he will test what moves rivals like Rune can make, De Minaur and a Fritz who showed up in late 2024 to be ready to face the favorites. It was not in vain that he rose to fourth place in the world.