The number 2 in the world on the pitch with Gaston at 9, Lorenzo against Collignon at 1.30 am. It’s also up to Sonego and Darderi
It’s finally Jannik Sinner’s turn. The Italian, No. 2 in the world and reigning double champion at the Australian Open, will open his campaign for a historic hat-trick (it would be only the second in the Open Era after Djokovic 2019-2021), on Tuesday 20 January. Made official by the publication of the program, Jannik’s debut is scheduled for 9 am Italian time, the first match of the evening session on the Rod Laver Arena, against Hugo Gaston. Sinner won both previous games against the Frenchman, although they date back to 2021, on the indoor floor in Marseille and on the hard court in Miami. But, before the great candidate for final victory, there will be no shortage of Italian tennis. Both on the main and secondary fields.
THE ITALIANS
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Lorenzo Musetti, world no. 5, will open his Australian Open against Raphael Collignon. The two will play the first match of the day session, at 1.30 am Italian time, on the Margaret Court Arena: no precedent, the Italian is looking for the only Slam quarter-final still missing in his career. Just before him, Luciano Darderi will take the field, first match on the 1573 Arena from 1.00, against Cristian Garin. The 22nd seed will play at the same time as Lorenzo Sonego, opposite Carlos Taberner on court 13 in the match that would return Musetti’s eventual opponent to the second round. Luca Nardi will instead be busy on court 7 against Yibing Wu, as the third match from 1.00: to open the program of the court Errani and Paolini in doubles against Lumsden/Tang. Completing the blue troop is the only Italian competing in the women’s singles together with Jasmine: Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who will play the second match from 1.00 on court 15, to around 2.30, against Julia Grabher.
THE BIG
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The third day of first rounds will complete the parade of the best players in the world. On the Rod Laver Arena, the reigning champion Madison Keys will open against the Ukrainian Olinykova at 1.30. Following one of the most interesting first rounds, between the left-handed Ben Shelton, world no. 8, and Ugo Humbert, fresh finalist in Adelaide. The day will close, after Sinner, Naomi Osaka against Antonia Ruzic. Big names also on Margaret Court, with two of the most dangerous players in the women’s draw. Elena Rybakina, n.5 WTA, against Kaja Juvan immediately after Musetti; Belinda Bencic, n.10, will open the evening session (9.00 am Italian) against Katie Boulter. The Swiss comes from victories in the United Cup and from the satisfaction of being the third player to return to the top 10 after giving birth, together with Cljisters and Serena Williams. Stefanos Tsitsipas, finalist in 2023, will close against Shintaro Mochizuki. Among the matches of the day, worth mentioning are Dimitrov-Machac, last on the Kia Arena in the middle of the Italian morning, and Prizmic-Duckworth, third match on Court 6. The winner would be Sinner’s eventual opponent in the second round.
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