World number one Jannik Sinner, despite a doping scandal, won his Australian Open opener against Nicolas Jarry. Sinner attributed his positive test to a medication error. The Melbourne crowd remained supportive,

Sinner was the most impressive hard-court player in 2024, losing three times on the surface last season to secure the Australian Open and US Open, either side of friendly rival Carlos Alcaraz claiming the French Open and successfully defending his Wimbledon title.

Top-ranked Sinner has a first-round match against Nicolas Jarry and also has Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Medvedev in his quarter of the draw. Fritz would open against fellow American Jenson Brooksby. Djokovic and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz could meet in the quarter-finals, with a possible semi-final against No. 2 Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic is on a collision course to meet Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, Coco Gauff opens against former champ Sofia Kenin. Read more at straitstimes.com.

"I do think he is the best hard-court player in the world. He has wrestled that mantle away from Novak Djokovic"

Australian Open champ Jannik Sinner began his title defense in straight sets style, overpowering Chile's Nic Jarry 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1. In the second set tiebreak, Sinner had a lot of nervy moments but got to set point with a poor drop shot from his opponent.