Australian Open 2023 Men’s Draw Preview and Prediction

The primary slam of the yr is upon us with the Australian Open kicking off on Monday. It will likely be lacking the present World No.1 although, with Carlos Alcaraz having needed to withdraw as a result of a leg harm picked up in coaching. It was at this occasion final yr that Rafael Nadal gained his twenty first slam with a rare comeback towards Daniil Medvedev within the remaining, successful from two units down. This will likely be one other key event in all time slam depend with Novak Djokovic with the ability to as soon as once more tie the scores up at 22-22.

After the controversy of Djokovic being unable to compete final yr, his return to Australia has not been fairly as controversial as anticipated. He’s already the Australian Open document holder in Males’s Singles titles, having picked up 9 to date in his profession. Yet another would see him be part of Nadal as being the one males with 10+ in any of the 4 slams. He nonetheless stays the participant to beat on medium velocity quick courts and is the overwhelming favorite for the event nonetheless.

An Adelaide title to start the yr will put the fourth seed in temper forward of the event, particularly given it contained a win over Daniil Medvedev alongside the best way. Being the fourth seed might have given the opportunity of a more durable draw for the Serbian nevertheless it seems to have performed out effectively together with his half containing Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz as the highest 8 seeds. 1 / 4 remaining route that appears to have Pablo Carreno Busta as essentially the most troublesome opponent will enable Djokovic to work his method into the event and permit any event drama that will happen to cross.

Medvedev might effectively have grew to become No.1 not lengthy after the actual fact however final yr’s Australian Open remaining seems like the start of his fall. Up two units within the remaining towards Rafael Nadal, he was wanting just like the dominant participant who might maintain that rating for a very long time. Three units later, he was a shedding finalist for the second yr operating having blown an outstanding alternative for a second straight slam. He’s now ranked as little as eighth after a disappointing 2022 based mostly on what was anticipated for him. He will likely be amongst the contenders within the prime half of the draw as of now, opponents might even see him as somebody who may be overwhelmed on a foul day. Ought to he make the quarter finals, he may have the potential to avenge that Nadal loss on a lesser stage. Sebastien Korda could also be a harmful opponent for the Russian in spherical three having started 2023 effectively with an Adelaide remaining.

Nadal is unlikely to be too involved however a run of six losses in seven matches is unprecedented for the defending champion – even taking into consideration this does embody 5 spherical robin matches throughout the United Cup and ATP Finals. Nonetheless, accidents and uncertainty have impacted him rather more since he gained his fourteenth French Open. He’s a person that may by no means be written off as so lots of his victories present – together with final yr’s title with a foot harm. If he could make it via spherical one towards Jack Draper, there might effectively be a compelling case for him to make it to the ultimate or shut once more. Draper is without doubt one of the hottest younger abilities on the tour and has moved from exterior the highest 200 to prime 40 over the previous yr. A fourth spherical conflict with Francis Tiafoe for the second slam operating is on the playing cards though it’s unlikely to be a match Nadal is simply too in favour of.

Regardless of being No. 2 seed and a two-time slam finalist in 2022, there are nonetheless doubts over Casper Ruud. The Norwegian is way improved on exhausting courts now as you’ll count on and shouldn’t be seen as somebody who will make an early exit on the floor anymore. His first spherical loss to Laslo Djere in Auckland is more likely to elevate some doubts however the first three rounds must be pretty straight ahead for a possible large fourth spherical with Matteo Berrettini – a person who beat him on the United Cup earlier this month.

Berrettini is one of some slam finalists who could also be eyeing going one step additional if they will get a little bit of luck. The most recent addition to that listing was Nick Kyrgios, who stays not possible to foretell. Ought to the anticipated third spherical with Holger Rune occur, it will be a match the place each a crushing 3-0 win or wild drawn out 5 set win for both participant is just not out of the query. How the house favorite offers with stress and expectation that is a little more respectable will likely be attention-grabbing – if he can stay as much as it there isn’t any doubt he may be the very best of the contenders beneath.

Alexander Zverev‘s return will likely be far too early for a deep run right here however third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has at all times competed effectively right here and may achieve this once more. He has made the semi finals 3 times in 4 years and arguably is effectively positioned to take action once more being within the quarter with Felix Auger-Aliassime and the half with Rafael Nadal. Dangerous early losses is usually a downside for the Greek but when he’s assured and flying after the primary few rounds he could also be a troublesome opponent to beat.

Moreover, there are a number of different champions within the draw that whereas previous their greatest will probably be attention-grabbing to see if they will have one final hurrah. Stan Wawrinka has discovered it rather more troublesome to stay aggressive after long run harm so his greatest hope could also be giving Felix Auger-Aliassime a tricky match in spherical two. In the meantime, Andy Murray seems like he ought to be capable to preserve a continuing presence within the prime 100 however a return to the very prime appears unlikely. Beating Matteo Berrettini over 5 units goes to be a tricky ask even when he performed the Italian robust in each their conferences final yr.

Prediction – Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas