TENNIS | AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Australian Open 2024: Who plays today Tuesday Jan. 16? Paul, Rune, Alcaraz, Zverev, Ruud
Who plays in the women’s and men’s competition on the third day of the tennis Grand Slam tournament played in Melbourne, Australia.
The second day of the Australian Open was full of excitement and drama. There were two enthralling matches in the men’s singles category, which Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jean-Lennard Struff won. Auger-Aliassime defeated Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, in a five-setter that lasted almost five hours. The match was a nail-biter, and the Canadian eventually won by 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (5-7), 6-4. Meanwhile, Jean-Lennard Struff defeated Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
However, it was a sad day for Andy Murray’s fans as he lost his first-round match to Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Murray, struggling with injuries recently, lost by 4-6, 2-6, 2-6. After the match, the British tennis player said this might be his last Australian Open.
In the women’s singles category, two-time champion Naomi Osaka’s comeback ended in the first round with a straight-set loss to Caroline Garcia. Osaka, who has been struggling with her form and mental health, lost by 6-3, 6-2.
Moving on to Day 3, the tournament will see the world No.1 Iga Swiatek begin her campaign with a first-round match against Sofia Kenin at the Rod Laver Arena. Swiatek, who won the French Open last year, is one of the top contenders for the Australian Open title. Before that, men’s world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz will play Richard Gasquet in a first-round game. Alcaraz, who is only 20 years old, is considered one of the rising stars of men’s tennis and is expected to put on a show against Gasquet.
Men’s Singles
The much-awaited tennis tournament day 3 will begin on Tuesday, with Carlos Alcaraz opening his 2024 Grand Slam campaign. However, this season, there is a noticeable difference in the Spaniard’s preparations compared to previous years. Unlike earlier seasons, Alcaraz has decided to skip all the warm-up events, which has left him almost undercooked. Despite this, Alcaraz is confident that he is ready for his first-round match against the experienced Richard Gasquet.
Alcaraz had a fantastic 2023 season, winning six titles, including Wimbledon, Madrid, and Indian Wells. However, he has recently revealed that he needed a break after the grueling season. His impressive performance in these tournaments highlights his potential to become a future Grand Slam champion.
Besides Alcaraz’s match, several exciting fixtures are scheduled in the men’s draw. The match between Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Casper Ruud promises to be a thrilling encounter. In addition, Alexander Zverev will play against Dominik Koepfer in an all-German duel. These matches are sure to provide fans with plenty of entertainment and drama.
If that’s not enough, the young Danish sensation Holger Rune will also play against Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioke. With an excellent track record in the junior circuit, Rune is expected to face a formidable fight against Nishioke.
Women’s Singles
Iga Swiatek is a women’s singles title favorite in this year’s tournament. She is hoping to do better than last year’s fourth-round exit. She started the season strong by winning all five singles matches at the United Cup mixed team event. In her upcoming match, Swiatek will face American Sofia Kenin, who she beat 6-4 6-1 in the French Open final in 2020 to win the first of her four Grand Slam titles.
Angelique Kerber, who won her first of three major titles in Melbourne in 2016, will also play in the tournament. She will return to Grand Slam action for the first time since the 2022 US Open and will face Danielle Collins, a 30-year-old American player.