The Australian Open is rapidly approaching, with Alex de Minaur arguably representing the best chance of a home champion.
De Minaur is sixth in the world rankings, and is the highest-ranked Australian playing at the tournament across both the ATP and WTA tours.
He warmed up for the Grand Slam by taking part in the United Cup, where Australia fell to eventual champions Poland in the quarterfinals.
De Minaur now turns his focus to individual success, but he’s already been handed a huge Australian Open blow after the draw was confirmed.
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Alex de Minaur handed brutal Australian Open draw
De Minaur has unfortunately been drawn against Matteo Berrettini in the very first round, who is a player he definitely would have wanted to avoid.
The Italian has struggled with injuries in more recent times, but he still poses a real threat thanks to his ability and indeed fantastic Grand Slam history.
Berrettini reached the 2021 Wimbledon final, where he lost to Novak Djokovic, while he also stormed to the semifinals of the Australian Open a year later, losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal.
De Minaur will still be favorite to come out on top, but even if he does, things are unlikely to get much easier from there.
Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Bublik represent potential early opponents, followed by Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in the latter stages.
And the Australian hopeful could then take on either Jannik Sinner or 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the final.
Three potential blockbuster Australian Open ties as draw confirmed
De Minaur versus Berrettini is arguably the standout clash of the entire first round of this year’s Australian Open.
But that encounter will likely be overshadowed by other potential meetings at the first Grand Slam of the season.
On the ATP Tour, two-time defending champion Sinner could be drawn against rising star Joao Fonseca in round three.
And the Italian is also involved in another potential blockbuster that is arguably more likely than any other potential tie.
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He could be reunited with Alcaraz in the final of the Grand Slam, which has become a common theme of late.
And on the WTA Tour, there could be a reunion between two American icons, with Coco Gauff potentially playing Venus Williams in the second round.
On her Grand Slam debut, Gauff beat Williams as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019, with the veteran perhaps already eyeing her revenge in Melbourne.
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