Australian Open draw released: Djokovic and Sinner share the same section, while Alcaraz advances directly to the semifinals!

The much-awaited Australian Open draw was revealed today, so let’s examine the men’s singles bracket for this opening Grand Slam event.

Top seed Alcaraz holds the first quarter, sharing the section with seeded players such as local star Demoliner, who recently faced him in an Australian Open exhibition, the newly top-ten Bublik, the determined Fokina still chasing his maiden title, Copil, Tiafoe, and first-time seed Moutet.

Among them, home favorite Demoliner has an unlucky draw, facing Berrettini in the first round. Other well-known players like Korda and Laaksonen are also clustered in this section. Additionally, fallen former Grand Slam quarterfinalists such as Echeverry from Roland Garros and Vukovic from Wimbledon have been placed here as well.

The second quarter is led by third seed Zverev, with other seeds including seventh seed Alcaraz, eleventh seed Medvedev, thirteenth seed Rublev, as well as Cerundolo, Lindgren, Norrie, and last season’s Australian Open breakout player Linner. Overall, the seeded players here are fairly evenly matched, making it a quarter where anyone could reach the semifinals.

Other notable players in this section include Poplin, Arnaldi, Taberner, and Mauro Santos. Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen will face Argentina’s top player Cerundolo in the first round.

The third quarter is headed by ten-time champion Djokovic. Given the current strength of Alcaraz and Sinner, he will inevitably share a half with one of them. Other seeded players in this section include Fritz, Musetti, Menchik, Tsitsipas, Lehecka, Brandon Nakashima, and Griekspoor. Several of these players have been longtime rivals of Djokovic, so it can be considered a favorable draw for him.

There are many first-round matches worth watching in this section. Mahach will face Dimitrov in a stylish opening round clash, while former champion Wawrinka, making his last appearance, will play against Jarry. Chinese player Shang Juncheng will take on former Wimbledon semifinalist Agut, and Hurkacz, who helped Poland win the United Cup, is also placed in this section as a major threat.

The final quarter is led by two-time defending champion Sinner, who will face the French left-handed powerhouse Gaston in the opening round. Other seeds in this section include Shelton, Ruud, Khachanov, Darderi, Vacherot, and Fonseca.

If all goes well, Sinner is expected to meet Fonseca in the third round. The Argentine Baez, who was singled out for praise by Fonseca, will face Pericard in the first round. Chinese player Bu Yunchao Kete will be positioned across the net from twenty-first seed Shapovalov. Additionally, veterans like Monfils, Humbert, Cilic, Altmaier, and Michelson will play supporting roles in this section.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)