Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is focusing on a profession Grand Slam on the Australian Open. Picture: AFP
MELBOURNE:
Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid for a profession Grand Slam on Sunday “hungry” for an elusive Australian Open title, whereas Aryna Sabalenka is laser-focused on clinching a 3rd Melbourne crown.
The primary main of the yr will get beneath approach as a 15-day occasion for the third time operating, aimed toward slicing down on late-night finishes.
High seed Alcaraz is determined to win it, having didn’t go previous the quarter-finals in 4 earlier journeys to Australia.
The title is the one one lacking from his main assortment, which presently consists of two French Opens, two US Opens and two Wimbledons.
“That is my fundamental purpose for this yr,” Alcaraz, who will get beneath approach within the evening match on Rod Laver Enviornment towards dwelling participant Adam Walton, stated.
“I am simply hungry for the title, hungry to do a extremely good end result right here.”
He has met the 79th-ranked Walton as soon as earlier than, at Queen’s in London final yr, when he received 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
Ought to the 22-year-old full the profession Slam he would be part of an unique membership as simply the sixth man to win all 4 main titles after Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Rod Laver.
He would additionally turn into the youngest, surpassing Nadal, who was 24 on the time.
However he has an enormous roadblock in entrance of him, with Italy’s Jannik Sinner the two-time defending champion and in peak bodily situation.
Sinner, who beat Alexander Zverev in final yr’s ultimate and went on to win Wimbledon, opens towards France’s Hugo Gaston, who he has met twice earlier than however not since 2021.
“We labored lots bodily,” Sinner stated of his pre-season. “The bodily half now’s so, so vital as a result of the matches can get very lengthy and likewise very intense.
“You need to be on the high bodily stage so long as you possibly can.”
Assuming he will get that far, Sinner might meet 10-time champion Djokovic within the semi-finals earlier than a possible conflict with Alcaraz for the title.
Djokovic would surpass Margaret Courtroom because the outright Slam chief on 25 titles ought to he flip again the clock and upstage his youthful rivals.
He has a tough opener towards Spain’s Pedro Martinez.
Zverev, in the identical half of the draw as Alcaraz, can also be in motion Sunday towards Canadian Gabriel Diallo.
World quantity 10 Alexander Bublik takes on American Jenson Brooksby.
Sabalenka scorching favorite
High-ranked Sabalenka kicks off towards French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, previous Alcaraz onto Rod Laver Enviornment.
The Belarusian went into final yr’s ultimate aiming to turn into the primary girl since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
However she was shocked by Madison Keys, a setback she admitted “took me a little bit time to get well” from.
“I am probably not specializing in that end result final yr,” stated Sabalenka, who received the Brisbane title final week. “However in fact I want to do just a bit bit higher than I did final yr.”
Keys failed to essentially kick on from clinching a maiden Grand Slam and is in Australia because the ninth seed.
She might want to enhance after clocking up practically 50 unforced errors in her early exit on the warm-up Adelaide Worldwide.
She meets debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine and will face Jessica Pegula within the final 16 and Amanda Anisimova within the final eight.
“I am actually attempting to push myself to form of evolve and add extra issues to my recreation,” stated the American.
Sabalenka’s chief rival, six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek is, like Alcaraz, angling for a profession Grand Slam in Melbourne.
“Clearly it could be a dream come true,” stated the Polish star, who’s but to transcend the semi-finals.
She is going to start towards Chinese language qualifier Yuan Yue.
Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, twelfth seed Elena Svitolina and veteran Venus Williams are additionally in motion on Sunday.
