Alcaraz and his toughest challenge in Australia

Carlos Alcaraz has a challenge: to become, at 21 years old, the youngest player in history to complete the ‘Grand Slam’. To do so, he must win the Australian Open, a tournament where he has never been past the quarterfinals and where this year he will face major obstacles.

The Murcian, who for the second consecutive year arrived in Melbourne without the rhythm of competition after giving up competing in January to focus his preseason on the physical aspect, He will make his debut on Monday against Kazakh Aleksander Shevchenkoa fierce rival who can get him into trouble if he doesn’t get it right.

Although major obstacles will come later, particularly in the expected quarterfinal duel against Novak Djokovic. The draw for the draw was mixed and paired the Spaniard with his executioner in the final of the last Paris Games, the Serbian’s only joy in a very gray year.

however, This season the Serbian is starting with renewed hope and wants to reclaim an undisputed throne in Melbourne. His 10 titles on Australian soil make him a fearsome rival capable of making any rival’s presence miserable.

however, Neither Alcaraz nor Djokovic are the top favorites for the title. That honor falls to the world number 1 and current champion.

Jannik Sinner will defend his crown after a dream 2024 where, with the exception of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he rules the circuit with an iron fist.

Only the shadow of his doping positive clouded the Italian’s successwho premiered his Grand Slam record here exactly one year ago, after defeating Djokovic in the semifinals and Medvedev in the grand final.

sinful will face a cooler reception than usual for a defending champion at Melbourne Parkbut it will probably take more than boos to shake him off his nerves.

“It feels different, but we are all happy to start the season again here in Australia, in Melbourne. It’s called the ‘Happy Slam’, so we’re all very happy to be back here,” said Sinner, who faces Nicolás Jarry in a first-round match on Tuesday.

Also on the part of the title options Alexander Zverev. The world number 2, who shares the bottom half of the draw with Alcaraz and Djokovic, will be looking to shake off the thorn last year, when after a brilliant quarterfinal victory over Alcaraz, he allowed himself to overcome a conflict that he won. against Medvedev in the semifinals.

Another name to remember is Taylor Fritz. The American has taken a big step forward in his tennis in recent months and, in addition, comes in high spirits after leading the United States to its recent victory in the United Cup.

As for the Spanish representation, apart from Alcaraz, Pablo Carreño is waiting for an opponent from the qualifying phase while Roberto Bautista is paired with Canadian Denis Shapovalov. Jaume Munar will rival Norwegian Casper Ruud and Alejandro Davidovich will begin his journey with Chinese Juncheng Shang. Alejandro Carballés will face the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, Pedro Martínez along with the Italian Luciano Darderi and Martín Landaluce, who is only 19 years old, made it through the qualifying phase and will begin his journey against Australian James McCabe.

Favorite Sabalenka

In the women’s category, the top favorite is again Aryna Sabalenkaalthough players of the stature of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Qinwen Zheng or Elena Rybakina can fight for the title with full guarantee.

As for the Spanish representation, the main asset is again Paula Badosa. The Catalan will debut against the Chinese Wang, 47th in the women’s ranking. If she is progressing, the Turkish Zeynep Sonmez and the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk are waiting for her, in third.

Ahead, high-level opponents such as American Jessica Pegula, seventh in the world, and American Coco Gauff, third, will appear in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka aims for the semifinals and in the final, on the other side of the draw, the Polish Iga Swiatek, who is now second in the ranking.

Jessica Bouzas, Cristina Bucsa and Nuria Parrizas They will be the three companions of the Begur player.