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A jam-packed order of play on Monday options Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas kicking off their Australian Open campaigns. They’re dealing with People Nishesh Basavareddy and Alex Michelsen, respectively.
(11) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Alex Michelsen
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas misplaced to his first-round opponent just some months in the past in Tokyo, so drawing him instantly in Melbourne might be a spot of dangerous luck for the world No. 11. Tsitsipas had a lackluster begin to the 2025 season with a single match win on the United Cup, the place he misplaced to Alexander Shevchenko in straight units.
(7) Novak Djokovic vs. (WC) Nishesh Basavareddy
Novak Djokovic comes into 2025 with an Olympic gold medal however utterly missing the title of defending champion at any occasion. The perennial greatest participant on tour is now seeded seventh; as a substitute of main one of many halves of the draw, he’s a harmful floater. Djokovic made a high-profile teaching change in the course of the offseason, including good friend and formal rival Andy Murray to his crew. The 37-year-old stumbled in his heat up occasion in Brisbane, the place he misplaced to American Reilly Opelka within the quarterfinals.
American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy could also be ranked 133rd within the world, however that doesn’t essentially make for a straightforward win for Djokovic. First, Basavareddy earned his wild card into the Australian Open because the winningest American on the Challenger Tour final fall. Then there was his barely out-of-left-field run to the semifinals of Auckland this previous week, when he misplaced a decent match to eventual champion Gael Monfils. He’s, briefly, one thing of a risk.
Since Melbourne is the place Djokovic performed a few of his greatest tennis and given that he’s wholesome, it’s laborious to see an upset within the making. That doesn’t imply that is going to be a stroll within the park for the 10-time champ. Basavareddy goes to make Djokovic work for this one.
