Australian Open Draw: Novak Djokovic, Sofia Kenin begin off with straightforward clashes

Novak Djokovic will start his Australian Open title defence towards Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, whereas reigning girls’s champion Sofia Kenin meets wild card Maddison Inglis, following the draw for the yr’s first Grand Slam on Friday.
World primary Djokovic captured a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park final yr by beating Dominic Thiem, who’s seeded third and can face Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin within the first spherical.
Rafa Nadal, in search of a primary title on the main since 2009, will meet Serbia’s Laslo Djere in his opener.
The Spaniard is stage with Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles and seeking to overtake the Swiss champion, who shouldn’t be enjoying this yr following knee surgical procedure.

Who is enjoying who? 👀 🔒
Women’s singles draw 👉 https://t.co/EdvUSYrtlaMen’s singles draw 👉 https://t.co/LHaMY6YUNY#AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/wcUZpGve36
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 5, 2021
Top-ranked Ash Barty resumes her quest to change into the primary homegrown singles winner on the Australian Open since 1978 when the 24-year-old takes on Danka Kovinic.
American Serena Williams, bidding to win a record-equalling twenty fourth main, will meet Laura Siegemund within the opening spherical.
Naomi Osaka, the 2019 champion, has a collection of probably powerful matches beginning with a conflict towards former quarter-finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The Japanese participant may face Caroline Garcia and Ons Jabeur in her subsequent two rounds earlier than a possible match-up with both Garbine Muguruza or Angelique Kerber within the fourth spherical.
Second seed Simona Halep of Romania, a overwhelmed finalist at Melbourne Park three years in the past, will play wild card Lizette Cabrera whereas fifth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina faces Marie Bouzkova.
ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev, who misplaced within the fourth spherical within the earlier two years, meets Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, whereas younger weapons Jannik Sinner and Denis Shapovalov are set to face off in what guarantees to be a blockbuster opener.
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has a tough check towards French veteran Gilles Simon whereas Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev have comparatively simpler first rounds towards Marcos Giron and Yannick Hanfmann, respectively.
Iga Swiatek, who made her breakthrough final yr by successful the French Open title, takes on Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands whereas Venus Williams performs Kirsten Flipkens.