How did the biggest favourites enter the Australian Open? Who got the warning and how did Alcaraz debut this year turn out?

The endless weeks of waiting are over and the debates and thoughts about who will reign on the tennis courts will be tested by reality. How did the biggest favourites enter the opening major of the season? Who can consider their performance in the first round of the Australian Open as a warning and who, on the contrary, proved their sovereignty?

A warning for Djokovic

You would look in vain for a bigger favourite at the Australian Open. The ten-time major winner in Melbourne, who, despite his veteran age, had perhaps the best of his seasons last year, is the official and unofficial number one of the tournament.

In the first match, Djokovic struggled for quite a while against Croatian Prizmic. He was even a break behind during the third set with the score tied at a set apiece.

But he did manage to win the match in the end. You know, when you back him into a corner, he shows what he’s really made of. However, he made quite a few unforced errors against the Croatian. Especially from the forehand.

Was it just a warm-up for the winning machine or a hint of deeper insecurity? The second round match against the home star Popyrin will certainly indicate what the truth is.

Medvedev entertains at the Australian Open

Before the start of the opening major of the season, the Russian tennis player announced a change in his philosophy. One of the differences is supposed to be less time spent on video games.

After his first round match against a qualifying opponent, he again ironically thanked for the advice he received before the match. Frenchman Atmane surprised him with a quality backhand and the Russian lost the first set to him. But he dominated the next two and went on after his opponent’s scratch.

Gradually, however, he improved himself in practically everything. Starting with his serve and ending with his stroke confidence. He probably won’t have to find out as much about his next opponent Ruusuvuori as he did about his first opponent. He beat him without losing a set last year and the year before.

Alcaraz finally in action

The Australian Open is the first official event to feature 2023 phenom Carlos Alcaraz. Last year, he dominated the first half of the year and capped it all off with a Wimbledon title. The ensuing stagnation opened the floor to wonder whether the Spaniard will be Djokovic’s main challenger in the season just beginning.

He entered the Australian major as the number two seed and in his clash with French veteran Gasquet he was the master of the court from the first set tiebreak win. Alcaraz won 7:6, 6:1, 6:2 and faced only one break point in the entire match. But in the following exchange in the first set tiebreak, the more experienced player showed his skills.

Now Alcaraz will face the Italian Songe. But there is much more interest in the other Italian.

Sinner has been great so far at the Australian open

Jannik Sinner is one of Djokovic’s biggest challengers. After all, he has already managed to beat him in a big match. In particular, the twenty-two-year-old Italian enjoyed a victory over the phenomenal Serbian at the Tournament of Champions.

This year, he should be one of his main challengers and he started the Australian Open with a bang. He lost his serve only once against the troublesome Dutchman Van De Zandchulp and slipped into the second round without losing a set.

Now he faces another Dutchman. He will play qualifier Jasper De Jong for the third round. Let’s see if either of the favourites gets a warning in their second match.

Sources: Australian Open, X