Australian Open 2024: Who plays today Monday Jan. 15? Minaur, Thiem, Jabeur, Kessler, Pera...

On the second day of the 2024 Australian Open, there will be some exciting matches featuring top players in the tennis world. Coco Gauff, Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev, Naomi Osaka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Ons Jabeur are among those who will be competing.

Naomi Osaka, returning to the tournament after giving birth last year, will be looking to make a strong comeback. Andy Murray, a former world number one and three-time grand slam champion, hopes to make a deep run in Melbourne.

The tournament has been extended by 15 days this year, and play began on Sunday instead of the usual first Monday. Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Maria Sakkari were among the first winners at the tournament, and it remains to be seen who will join them in the second round.

On Monday, Gauff and Medvedev will be playing on the main show courts, always a highlight for fans. Meanwhile, the Rod Laver Arena will feature a headline clash between two-time winner Naomi Osaka and 16th seed Caroline Garcia and the local de Minaur, who’ll face Canadian Raonic in the men’s singles competition.

Men’s Singles

Alex de Minaur, a rising star in the Australian tennis scene, has been in top form this year. He achieved a significant milestone by beating Novak Djokovic at the United Cup and has risen to the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in his career.

However, his first-round match against Milos Raonic, the former Wimbledon runner-up, promises to be a tough challenge. De Minaur must bring his A-game to Rod Laver Arena to progress further in the tournament.

One of the most anticipated matches of this tournament day is between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Dominic Thiem, which is scheduled to be the last match at Margaret Court Arena. Auger-Aliassime, who has dropped to No. 27 in the world rankings, has struggled with form recently and hopes to avoid a fourth successive first-round exit at Grand Slams.

Thiem, whose injury issues have plagued them, had a difficult 2023 and won just one Grand Slam match. He is working his way back to the top and hopes to improve his performance this year. Both are phenomenal players who’ve been struggling with their tennis lately.

Women’s Singles

Naomi Osaka, one of the top female tennis players in the world, has had a lot of success at the Australian Open throughout her career. At this prestigious tournament, she has won two of her four Grand Slam titles, including her most recent victory in 2021. The Japanese player’s success at the Australian Open is no surprise, given that the hard courts used in the tournament suit her playing style.

This year’s Australian Open will be particularly special for Osaka, as it marks her return to the tour after taking a break to give birth to her child in July. Having missed several tournaments in the latter half of 2021, including the US Open, Osaka will be eager to make a triumphant return to the Grand Slam stage.

However, Osaka’s road to glory at the Australian Open won’t be easy. She hasn’t won a match at a Grand Slam tournament since her victory at the 2022 Australian Open, and she faces a tough challenge in her opening match against the 16th seed, Caroline Garcia. The French player is a formidable opponent, with a powerful serve and consistent groundstrokes. Osaka must bring her A-game to get past Garcia and progress to the next round.

Interestingly, Osaka and Garcia have only met once before, three years ago in Melbourne, when Osaka won in straight sets. It remains to be seen whether Osaka can replicate that success this year or whether Garcia will exact revenge and cause an upset. One thing’s for sure, though - it will be an exciting match!