Five men tennis players who will be favourites at the Australian Open
The Australian Open got underway after its fair share of controversy on Monday. Tennis fans were disappointed to know that the top seed – Novak Djokovic – would not be able to participate in the Grand Slam. However, there is no dearth of talent to behold at the big event.
Here is a list of the 5 players from the Men’s division who will be favourites to make the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev
The undoubted favourite to win this 2022 edition of the Australian Open is the current top seed, Daniil Medvedev. He avenged last year’s loss to Novak Djokovic in the final by defeating him in straight sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) in the US Open. Medvedev certainly has the big match experience to make it in this edition.
He will become the first Russian in 17 years to win the Australian Open if he manages the feat. Medvedev’s ability to put in the long rallies from the baseline will be tested against some of the big-serving men in the competition. But the 2020 ATP Finals champion will recognize this as his best opportunity to claim his second Grand Slam in the absence of Djokovic and will be more determined than ever.
Alexander Zverev
Olympic Gold medallist Alexander Zverev is another player who will be licking his lips at the prospect of winning his first major Grand Slam title. Tennis legend John McEnroe also picked the German as one of the title contenders this year owing to his “maturity and experience”.
Zverev had a brilliant year in 2021 where he finished as the Golden boy of Tokyo and then ended the season on a high by being crowned ATP World Champion by defeating Medvedev in straight sets at Turin. He also had an exceptional time in Australia earlier where he won two of his three singles rubbers.
Zverev has started to look like a more aggressive and fearless player since his confidence-boosting victories last year. This year he will want to keep pushing his way to the top and a Grand Slam title in Australia would be the ideal way to get started.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas reached a career-high third ranking in the world less than five months before the start of the Australian Open. He has managed to achieve big feats at an early age. In 2019 he became the youngest ATP Finals champion in 18 years. He is also the highest-ranked Greek player in the history of the sport.
Tsitsipas has seven ATP titles to his name. He has been a 2019 and 2021 Australian Open semi-finalist. He also reached the final of the 2021 French Open but lost to Djokovic after having a two-set lead.
Carlos Alcaraz
18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz is said to be the next big thing in world tennis to emerge from the nation of Spain. The young phenom is currently 31st in the world in the ATP rankings. However, he will benefit from Djokovic’s exit from the Australian Open, making his quarterfinal tie easier. Many believe his place in this year’s semi-final is assured if he continues to play the way he has been playing for the past year.
Alcaraz became the youngest player in over 30 years to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal when he upset Tsitsipas at the 2021 US Open.
Rafael Nadal
When it comes to tennis you can never keep the fiery Spaniard Rafael Nadal out of contention. Featuring in this edition of the Australian Open as the sixth seed, Nadal is no stranger to putting in big performances at the event. He has 20 Grand Slam titles to his name and will come into this edition as one of the most experienced and decorated players.
It has been 13 years since Nadal’s last Grand Slam victory down under. He was out of action for a large part of last year due to a foot injury. All eyes will be on the former world number 1 now. If he finds his groove then he can steamroll any opponent on his day.
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Words: Sahil Gangurde
Image: PA
