Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka Aim to Make History in Round Two of Australian Open
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will enhance their quests for tennis history at the Australian Open on Wednesday, where Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka will also be in action in the second round. With new mentor Andy Murray by his side, Djokovic is aiming for an 11th Melbourne title and a record 25th Grand Slam singles championship. Sabalenka is pursuing a rare hat-trick of consecutive Australian Open victories, a feat last accomplished 26 years ago by Martina Hingis and only equaled by four other women in history.
Djokovic had a slow start in the opening round against American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy on Monday before clinching victory in four sets, with his performance improving as the match progressed. “I finished the match on a positive note. I believe it’s crucial. It has a psychological impact on me for the remainder of the tournament,” said Djokovic, who will face Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in an afternoon match on Rod Laver Arena.
The Serbian legend is projected to face Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, while the Spanish four-time Grand Slam champion is set to play against Japan’s 65th-ranked Yoshihito Nishioka on Margaret Court Arena. “I understand Nishioka is a formidable opponent,” stated Alcaraz, who has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne. “It will be a challenging match. I will be prepared.”
The second-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany is vying for his first Grand Slam title and has had a two-day break since his straight-sets victory against Lucas Pouille on Sunday night. He will once again compete in the late evening match on Rod Laver Arena, this time against Spaniard Pedro Martinez.
Sabalenka, who navigated through a tough first-round encounter against Sloane Stephens on the tournament’s opening day, will kick off the action on Tuesday on Rod Laver Arena against another Spaniard, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The Belarusian mentioned that she has enhanced her “mental fortitude” this year, which could be a warning sign for her opponents. In her section of the draw, she faces the in-form world number three Gauff. The American has remained undefeated this year, leading her team to victory in the United Cup and comfortably defeating former champion Sofia Kenin in the first round in Melbourne.
Osaka, the Australian Open champion in 2019 and 2021, will face a challenging match against the 20th-seeded Czech Karolina Muchova, who emerged victorious in their last encounter at the 2024 US Open. “I admit that I fell short at the US Open,” Osaka acknowledged, having lost in straight sets in the second round in New York.
Zheng Qinwen, the runner-up in last year’s final against Sabalenka, will face Germany’s Laura Siegemund. The Olympic champion Zheng aims to become only the second Chinese player to clinch a major singles title after Li Na, who triumphed in Melbourne in 2014.
Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib created history on Sunday by becoming the first player from his nation to secure a Grand Slam victory. However, the 26-year-old faces a tough challenge to continue his remarkable journey as he is set to play against French 14th seed Ugo Humbert.