In an utterly insane day of tennis, 83 matches are scheduled for Tuesday at Melbourne Park.
On the first day of the second annual ATP Cup, the world’s top four players will all be in action. And with three of them facing top 12 opposition, the 2021 season is going straight to fifth gear. Meanwhile second round action is underway in two WTA 500 events, with five of the world’s top 10 competing on Tuesday. Add onto that matches from two ATP 250 events, and you have one of the busiest schedules in recent tennis memory.
Today’s preview will focus on the ATP Cup and the WTA 500 tournaments, as the top players in the ATP 250 events will not play until Wednesday.
Tuesday’s ATP Cup matches will be played on Rod Laver Arena and John Cain Arena (formerly the Melbourne/Hisense Arena) starting at 10:00am local time. The WTA 500 and ATP 250 events will begin at 10:30am on the outer courts, and at 11:00am on Margaret Court Arena and 1573 Arena.
The ATP Cup, a Round Robin Team Event between 12 Nations
Top Players: All of the ATP top 10 will compete except the injured Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) – Second Match on RLA
This will be Djokovic’s first match since the ATP Finals, where he lost in the semifinals to Dominic Thiem in a third set tiebreak. A year ago at this event, a third set tiebreak went his way against his opponent today. That’s the closest the 21-year-old Canadian has come to defeating Novak, as Denis is 0-5 against the world No.1. And despite Djokovic’s hand blisters, that’s unlikely to change today on Rod Laver Arena, a place where Novak is usually at his best. With Denis’ fellow countryman Milos Raonic a favorite against Dusan Lajovic, the Serbia/Canada matchup may come down to doubles, where Shapovalov and Raonic are scheduled to team against Nikola Cacic and Filip Krajinovic.
Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) – Second Match on JCA
They have split their four previous meetings, and all have been tight matches. But Berrettini struggled in 2020, with a record of just 9-6 coming of an injury layoff. Thiem is the favorite in this matchup, though if the erratic Fabio Fognini beats Dennis Novak (as he should), the Austria/Italy battle may also come down to doubles.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Alex de Minaur (AUS) – Not Before 7:00pm on RLA
This is another rematch from last year’s event, when Nadal required three sets to subdue the inspired Australian in the semifinals. That’s the only time de Minaur has wrestled a set away from Rafa, whom he is 0-3 against. In his first match since November, Nadal should prevail again today despite the fight of the Australian No.1. And with Roberto Bautista Agut favored over John Millman, Spain may not need the doubles point to prevail.
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) – Not Before 7:00pm on JCA
A year ago at this event, these two got heated. Schwartzman did not appreciate Medvedev taunting him and his fellow Argentines, and wasn’t shy about letting Daniil know. Schwartzman is 0-5 against Medvedev, which includes two further hard court clashes this past November. While Diego would surely like to avenge last year’s loss, the reigning ATP Finals champion is currently on a 10-match win streak, and will be hard to subdue. And with Andrey Rublev, one of 2020’s best players, taking on Guido Pella in the other singles match, this looks to be a straightforward victory for the Russians.
The Yarra Valley Classic, a WTA 500 Event
Top seeds: Ash Barty, Sofia Kenin, Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Serena Williams, Garbine Muguruza
Sofia Kenin (2) vs. Camila Giorgi – First Match on MCA
The Australian Open champion will be eager to gain some momentum ahead of her title defense, especially coming off a disappointing loss last month in Abu Dhabi to Maria Sakkari where she lost 12 of the last 14 games. The go-for-broke style of Giorgi can be dangerous, but Kenin’s all-court skills should get her through.
Ash Barty (1) vs. Ana Bogdan – Not Before 6:30pm on MCA
This will be the world No.1’s first match since February 28th of last year, as the Australian chose not to leave her country during the pandemic. Despite her lack of play, Barty should advance comfortably against the 28-year-old Romanian ranked 93rd in the world.
Garbine Muguruza (6) vs. Alison Van Uytvanck – Fifth Match on 1573
Like her fellow 2020 Australian Open finalist Kenin, Muguruza was a victim of Maria Sakkari in Abu Dhabi. And with only five hard court matches played since leaving Melbourne a year ago, Garbine could use a few wins on this surface ahead of next week. She’s 2-1 against Van Uytvanck, and 2-0 on this surface, so I like Muguruza’s chances.
Petra Kvitova (4) vs. Venus Williams – Last Match on MCA
This is the most marquee women’s match of the day, between two multiple-time Wimbledon champions. When they last met, two years ago at Indian Wells, Venus came from behind to upset Kvitova in a thrilling encounter. While Petra is 4-3 overall against Venus, the American has claimed their last two matches, meaning Kvitova hasn’t beaten her since 2014. Venus looked sharp against Aranxta Rus on Sunday, so she has a real shot to make it three in a row against Kvitova.
The Gippsland Trophy, a WTA 500 Event
Top seeds: Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina, Aryna Sabalenka, Johanna Konta, Iga Swiatek
Johanna Konta (5) vs. Bernarda Pera – First Match on 1573
Konta has not played in four months, and is 2-3 in her last three tournaments. Surprisingly, she actually has a losing record against the 26-year-old American, who has taken two of their three meetings. This is a tricky opening round for the British No.1.
Aryna Sabalenka (4) vs. Kaia Kanepi – Second Match on MCA
Who is going to stop Aryna Sabalenka? The 22-year-old is on a 15-match win streak, with three straight titles. However, Kanepi owns an 11-match win streak of her own, and won three titles ITF titles this fall. But Sabalenka is a big step up in competition.
Naomi Osaka (2) vs. Alize Cornet – Third Match on MCA
Speaking of win streaks, Osaka hasn’t lost in a full year, although that only covers the two events that were staged in the New York bubble last summer. This will be her first match since winning her third Major at the US Open. Considering Cornet is coming off a two-and-a-half-hour battle just yesterday, Naomi is a heavy favorite in her return.
Iga Swiatek (6) vs. Kaja Juvan – Fourth Match on 1573
Swiatek is another player on a winning streak, and who hasn’t played since winning a Slam, her first on the red clay of Paris. Iga has already proven her skills transfer nicely to other surfaces, as she reached the second week in Melbourne last year. She shouldn’t face too much resistance from Juvan, a 20-year-old Slovenian ranked outside the top 100.
Tuesday’s full order of play is here.
