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As always, proceed at your own risk, especially when making predictions about the future. But looking into the 2023 Australian Open, it’s hard not to pick Novak Djokovic in that field. He hasn’t lost a match in Melbourne since his 2018 (Trivia: Hyeon Chung). It looked great in Adelaide last week. It would be the opposite upset for Djokovic, Nadal’s most favorite to win at the French Open level, not to walk away with the men’s trophy. But there are 127 games, so:
1. Rafael Nadal: Star of the 2022 event seeks 23rd major and 3rd title. But he’s his 36-year-old, new father, and most worryingly under . 500 since Wimbledon, starting with a brutal draw (his young fellow lefty Jack Draper). The fastest way to bankruptcy in tennis is to bet on legends (especially in the best of 5 format). But it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is Nadal’s final road trip to Melbourne.
2. Casper Ruud: Quick: Name the only ATP player other than Nadal to reach two major finals in 2022. But a career record in Australia? 4-3. The surface does not play to his strengths. And man, he’s been playing tennis a lot lately. Still, probably a player for Week 2.
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas: Again, a thoughtful, relatable and endearingly quirky player, he’s bound to get into a lot of drama, starting with his father’s intimacy. The key question: Is he a player who can win a major or is he a great slugger, leader in his ATP match wins in 2022, capable of a deep run, and that window is probably closed? Do you?His track record in Australia is a strong one. He was great in the United Cup, winning both a blowout and a thriller in the third set, does he want to win seven games instead of five or he six?
4. Novak Djokovic: An overwhelming favorite. Aiming for his 10th Australian Open title—prospects: Roger at Wimbledon has more victories in Melbourne than his Federer. He played as ever to close out his 2022 and start his 2023 with a typical give his no quarter win over Adelaide in his tennis. Concerns about him being booed off the court after last year’s debacle are unfounded. His hamstring concerns are more justified. nevertheless. Why isn’t he his 2023 champion despite his freak injury?
5. Andrei Rublev: vs Dominic Thiem. Stay in that deserted land….When he generates all sorts of paces, often in the middle of a rally, he can play with anyone. (And has been more affected than he lets on by the war in Ukraine and the collateral damage he has suffered as a Russian. slow.
6. Felix Auger-Aliassime: After a great season, he won his first professional title and three more. Sarong is still a little restless heading into a deeper run in the majors. He is not content with simply putting up a good fight. But I love it here. His surprise loss to Alexei Popyrin in Adelaide is his first big chance at a major of the year.
7. Daniil Medvedev: It will be difficult to find a stranger for 2022. He rose to his number one spot.. Lost to Nadal in the AO final. injury. Wimbledon banned. Defeated by Kyrgios in New York. Ending the year with four straight losses. After starting 2023 with solid tennis, he lost again to Djokovic. It wasn’t particularly close. Likeable man, likeable game. But players ready to reset.
8. Taylor Fritz: Having had the best year of his career, the highest-ranking American seems to continue to achieve. His game has matured. His temper has matured. He’s a steady and methodical climb, a pro’s pro who doesn’t seem particularly limited. There are some memories of his AO that he prefers to get rid of. But United look good in his cup (over $750,000 fund) and have a big chance here. (And it might be important that Alcaraz pushed him into the Top 8.)
9. Holger Loon: Still in his teens, Loon capped off strong in 2022 by defeating Djokovic (and others) in Paris with 15 wins from 16 matches. He has an ideal tennis physique (6-2, 169 lbs) and is not lacking in confidence. It will be his first career Top 16 seed. He lost to Yoshihito Nishioka last week and his career at the Australian Open is 0-1 for him. But you think that will change from Monday.
10. Hubert Hurkacz: I train in the heat and humidity of Florida, so the conditions aren’t a problem. (Not necessarily for Northern Europeans in Melbourne.) 2021 Miami Winner. The last player to beat Federer at Wimbledon. 2022 Montreal finalist. Is he ready for the next step? Approaching that Louvre stage — nice guy. Episodic great player. However, it’s still unclear if he has any major winner stuff.
11. Cam Norrie: The British left-hander seems to be getting harder to beat with each passing tournament.At 27, he’s still developing. His loss against Alcaraz at Sincey ranks him one of the best matches of 2022. And his 2023 kicked off with his three-set victory over Nadal.
12. Alexander Zverev: First major tournament since injuring his right ankle at the French Open. Even watching him play in the Saudi Arabian exhibition made it clear that his moves were visibly undermined. He lost badly to Fritz in the United Cup. This can slow recovery.
13. Matteo Berrettini: He’s been getting a lot of attention on Netflix lately, but otherwise 2022 has been a quiet and tough year, plagued by injuries and testing positive for COVID-19.he looked strong in general Did it play. At 6-5, he crushes the ball especially on the forehand side. But can he, like his countryman Sina, play seven games without a disability?
14. Pablo Carreño Busta: He’s what he is….a respectable veteran who can play spoilers and reach the late rounds. However, he is not a true competitor.
15. Jannik Sinner: I’m only 21 and the stock is down a bit. With some memorable games in 2022 (especially the 3am Classic against Alcaraz in the US Open Quarter), concerns about physical endurance are growing. Will he be able to win 21 sets in his two weeks?against former semifinalist Kyle Edmund.
16. Frances Tiafoe: He made it to the semi-finals at the last major and is currently in the top 16 (thanks to Alcaraz who beat him in the aforementioned semi-final). The Magic Eight Ball says that all vectors point in the right direction. Biggest improvement in the last 6 months or so: decision making. Let’s see if he can pull it off in Melbourne.
Seed 17-32
18. Karen Khachanov: The Russian veteran finished in the US Open semifinals.
19. Nick Kyrgios: Your guess is as good as mine. Watch out for the 3rd round match against the feisty Holger Rune.
20. Denis Shapovalov: An insecure Canadian can become his own worst enemy. However, he will take two sets from Nadal in 2022.
21. Borna Coric: 2022 ATP comeback player.
22. Alex De Minaur: Always dangerous and already beaten Nadal in 2023.
29. Sebastian Korda: Tennis is there, as evidenced recently by a run to the Adelaide final (and a match point with Djokovic).
31: Yoshi Nishioka: Good for him to squeeze in a seeded slot. The Japanese speedster has three wins at Adelaide.
dark horse
Tommy Paul: A versatile shot maker who quietly won 39 games in 2022. He still has a few levels to climb before he becomes a major contender. But the 25-year-old is growing well.
Maxime Cressy: From an easily rootable sideshow to a credible and trustworthy dangerous floater.
Emil Ruusuvouri: Probably the best player we’ve ever seen.
Jack Draper: The British left-hander who adjusted FA-A in previous majors is a growth stock. Can he beat Nadal with R1?
Stan Wawrinka: You know the rules. All former champions deserve mention.
Andy Murray: You know the rules. All former No. 1 players deserve mention.
Dominic Thiem: Former finalist and former hardcourt major winner slowly getting back on track?
Gael Monfils: He’s 36, he’s a father, and he’s still trying….
First round matches to watch
Nadal vs. Draper: Lefty vs. Lefty. Is your child ready?
Tsitsipas v. Harris: A seemingly tough first round for Greece.
Brandon Nakashima v. Mackie McDonald: Two friends playing at the California State Championship.
Vasek Pospisil v. Felix Auger-Aliassime: About the Canadian National Title.
Rublev v. Thiem: Brutal for both.
Murray vs. Berrettini: Which player has fewer injuries?
1st round upset
Draper d. Nadal is not shocked (especially when Nadal is under 100%). Rublev. and corda d. Medvedev from R3.
doubles winner
Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury
semi-finals
Tsitsipas D. Quite a surprise (Corda?)
Djokovic D. Fritz
Final game
Djokovic D. Tsitsipas
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