Australian Open: Rafael Nadal was not spared the draw even if he avoids Novak Djokovic before the final

The die is cast. The traditional pre-tournament draw took place on Thursday in Melbourne and was not kind to the defending champion. To keep his property during this Australian Open 2023, Rafael Nadal will (theoretically) have the right to an obstacle course since he could have to cross swords with Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, before possibly finding Novak Djokovic for a final. between monsters. The Serb, for his big comeback, was relatively spared.

The “Bull of Manacor” was therefore not spared, and this from the 1st round. For his entry into the running in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal will have to be wary of another left-hander, the promising British player Jack Draper. To join the second week, he will then have to dismiss another young wolf Brandon Nakashima then a man in the form of the moment Yoshihito Nishioka. But that’s nothing compared to a potentially explosive second week. From the round of 16 to the final, the Mallorcan could chain Frances Tiafoe (his executioner of the US Open), Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and therefore Novak Djokovic. Just that.

Djokovic has a highway, Murray – Berrettini entry

For Djokovic precisely, the obstacles seem much fewer for his return to Melbourne. After two very affordable first rounds, the Serb could see Grigor Dimitrov stand up in front of him before the second week. Then, we would have to wait for the quarter-finals for very serious things to begin against Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune or… Nick Kyrgios against whom he will play an exhibition match on Friday. Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini or Taylor Fritz (Alexander Zverev still seeming too short) would potentially be waiting for him in the half.

Among the first notable rounds, the poster between Dominic Thiem, who hopes to return to the highest level this season, and Andrey Rublev is particularly eye-catching. Berrettini will also have a hard time dealing with Andy Murray. As for Tsitsipas, he will have to be wary of… Quentin Halys, one of the French in spirit of the moment. It will take a great performance (even a feat) for the 11 Blues in the running (not counting any qualified) to reach the second week like Gaël Monfils last year (quarter-finalist but absent).

For his big first in Australia, Luca Van Assche was thus served with Cameron Norrie from the first round. Before potentially challenging Sebastian Korda, Arthur Rinderknech will be opposed to a qualified (or “lucky loser”), just like Benjamin Bonzi. Note the 100% tricolor duel between Richard Gasquet and Ugo Humbert, a “remake” of 2022, with the winner a possible 2nd round against… Kyrgios. Corentin Moutet has perhaps the most affordable table of all with the Chinese Yibing Wu then theoretically Francisco Cerundolo, before a 3rd round against Félix Auger-Aliassime if the logic is respected.

The theoretical eighth-finals:

Rafael Nadal [ESP/N.1] – Frances Tiafoe [USA/N.16]
Hubert Hurkacz [POL/N.10] – Daniil Medvedev [RUS/N.7]
Stefanos Tsitsipas [GRE/N.3] – Jannik Sinner [ITA/N.15]
Cameron Norrie [GBR/N.11] – Félix Auger-Aliassime [CAN/N.6]

Andrey Rublev [RUS/N.5] – Holger Rune [DAN/N.9]
Pablo Carreno Busta [ESP/N.14] – Novak Djokovic [SRB/N.4]
Taylor Fritz [USA/N.8] – Alexander Zverev [ALL/N.12]
Matthew Berrettini [ITA/N.13] – Casper Ruud [NOR/N.2]