Tuesday’s ATP Cup round robin stage in Sydney features six of the world’s top 12 singles players, four of whom lost their opening round matches. First round action at the WTA and ATP events in Adelaide is highlighted by a rematch of a tremendous Indian Wells final from October. And in Melbourne, reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka plays her first match in four months.
In total, 77 matches are scheduled between Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne, making for a remarkably busy day of tennis on just the fourth day of the year.
Each day, this preview will highlight the most prominent matches from around Australia.
Sydney: The ATP Cup, a Round Robin Team Event between 16 Nations
Top Players: Daniil Medvedev, Sascha Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, Casper Ruud
Group Standings are here, Order of Play is here.
Sascha Zverev [GER] vs. Taylor Fritz [USA] – Second on Ken Rosewall Arena
Zverev defeated Cam Norrie in straight sets on Sunday, while Fritz overcame Felix Auger-Aliassime in three. Team USA currently holds the lead in Group C. Sascha is 3-2 against Taylor, though the American has claimed two of their last three.
Matteo Berrettini [ITA] vs. Ugo Humbert [FRA] – Second on Qudos Bank Arena
Humbert upset Daniil Medvedev in a third set tiebreak on Sunday, while Berrettini went down in defeat to Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur. Both Italy and France need to win on Tuesday to keep their advancement hopes alive. At the 2020 US Open, the Italian prevailed over the Frenchman in straight sets.
Felix Auger-Aliassime [CAN] vs. Cam Norrie [GBR] – Not Before 7:00pm on Ken Rosewall Arena
It’s the World No.11 against the World No.12. The Canadian is 2-0 against the Brit, which includes a three-set victory just a few months ago in Vienna.
Daniil Medvedev [RUS] vs. Alex de Minaur [AUS] – Not Before 7:00pm on Qudos Bank Arena
Russia and Australia are playing for the lead in Group B. Medvedev leads their head-to-head 3-0, with all three encounters occurring on hard courts.
Adelaide: a WTA 500 Event, and an ATP 250 Event
Top WTA Players: Ash Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, Iga Swiatek
Top ATP Players: Gael Monfils, Karen Khachanov, Marin Cilic
WTA draw is here, ATP draw is here, and Order of Play is here.
Coco Gauff and Caty McNally (4) vs. Ash Barty and Storm Sanders – Fourth on Court 4
This will be Ash’s first match since her stunning defeat at the hands of Shelby Rogers at the US Open. Gauff and McNally were doubles finalists in New York.
Paula Badosa (4) vs. Victoria Azarenka – Not Before 8:30pm on Centre Court
In the championship match of this past fall’s Indian Wells, Badosa earned the biggest title of her career in a thrilling battle decided by a third-set tiebreak. Paula and Vika are teaming up this week in doubles, and took out the top seeds on Monday.
Melbourne: Two WTA 250 Events, and an ATP 25 Event
Top WTA Players: Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula, Simona Halep
Top ATP Players: Rafael Nadal, Reilly Opelka, Grigor Dimitrov
The WTA draws are here and here, and the ATP draw is here. Order of Play is below.
Naomi Osaka (1) vs. Alize Cornet – Second on Rod Laver Arena
This is Osaka’s first match since her shocking loss to eventual runner-up Leylah Fernandez at the US Open. Last year in another Australian Open warm-up event held in Melbourne, Osaka defeated Cornet 6-2, 6-2.
Andy Murray (WC) vs. Facundo Bagnis – Third on Rod Laver Arena
Murray played a lot of tennis during the second half of 2021, yet still only went 20-16 on the year. Bagnis is a 31-year-old from Argentina who reached the third round of last year’s US Open, his best career result at a Major.
Jaume Munar and Rafael Nadal vs. Marc Polmans and Alexei Popyrin – Fourth on Court 13
One day shy of five months after Nadal’s last competitive match, he will return from foot surgery in doubles, teaming for the first time with fellow Spaniard Munar against two Australians.
