Australian Open draw: Alex de Minaur’s path to the final

Alex de Minaur will need to overcome a dangerous big-hitter in the first round of the Australian Open, before a giant awaits.

If the cards fall right for Alex de Minaur he could face Novak Djokovic in a tantalising semi-final clash at the Australian Open. Picture: Anthony Wallace / AFP

Australian world no. 10 Alex de Minaur has landed in Novak Djokovic’s half of the draw at the Australian Open and but will have to take down former world No.3 Milos Raonic just get to the second round after being handed the horror opening match up in pursuit of a maiden grand slam final.

Having taken down Djokovic and world No.6 Alex Zverev as part of an ideal preparation, de Minaur will take on the big-hitting Canadian first up with a second round clash against either Australian wildcard Adam Walton or unseeded Italian Matteo Arnaldi before a big potential third round bout against Chilean 18th seed Nicholas Jarry.

Fifth seed Andrey Rublev could await de Minaur in the round of 16, while Italian world no. 4 Jannik Sinner looms as the highest ranked potential quarter-final opponent before a showdown with Djokovic.

Alex de Minaur will need to beat up to two more top 10 players to reach a potential semi-final against Novak Djokovic. Picture: Graham Denholm / Getty Images

Djokovic will play a qualifier in the first round before a second round clash against one of Australian duo Alexei Popyrin and Marc Polmans.

An intriguing third-round match could involve one of veteran pair Andy Murray and Gael Monfils against the world No. 1.

The 33-year-old Raonic entered the Australian Open using a protected ranking after being plagued by thigh and Achilles injuries as well as a broken toe in the last two years.

The 2016 Australian Open semi-finalist has only managed to take the court in three grand slams since 2020, making it to the fourth round in his most recent appearance at Melbourne Park in 2021.

de Minaur’s United Cup coach Lleyton Hewitt said he had made important tweaks to his game over the last year which would hold him in good stead against the opponents who follow Raonic.

“He’s done a lot of work on his net game, he feels quite comfortable up there as well (as the baseline),” Hewitt said during de Minaur’s charity game against Alcaraz on Wednesday night.

Italian world no. 4 Jannik Sinner lies in de Minaur’s path in the quarter-finals. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio / Getty Images

“I think that’s one reason he’s been playing extremely well in the United Cup – he was willing to look to get forward, put pressure on his opponent and play with a bit more variety.

“He’s also got such good hands out there as well, so the quicker court (in Melbourne) doesn’t worry him, especially on the return of serve.”

The highest profile first-round clash in the men’s draw will be between Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas and the unseeded Matteo Berrettini, whose ranking slid to No. 125 last year due to a serious ankle injury.

French veteran Richard Gasquet made first-round exits at all four grand slams last year and faces an uphill battle to break that streak next week when he meets world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in his opening match.

Alcaraz could face 11th seed Casper Ruud in the fourth round before a potential quarter-final against sixth seed Zverev, while Grigor Dimitrov (13th), Holger Rune (eighth) and Hubert Hurkacz (ninth) are all potential semi-final opponents for the 20-year-old Spanish star.

Originally published as Australian Open draw: Alex de Minaur’s path to the final