tennis gut

It appears that Jannik Sinner will be allowed to play the Australian Open and, knowing that his playing time might be restricted this year, he will be eager to make the most of it.  The defending champion is on a 14-match win streak on hard courts and went 53-3 on the surface last year, so he is certainly the favourite to defend his AO title. But there are other strong contenders, not least of whom is Novak Djokovic, 10-time champion at the event. And there’s also Carlos Alcaraz who beat Sinner three times last year, world #2 Alexander Zverev, and Daniill Medvedev who’s been in three of the last four finals in Melbourne.   Can any of them, or one of the young up-and-comers, stop Sinner?   Top Quarter Jannik Sinner (1) is the top seed and has a potentially tricky opening against Nicolas Jarry who has a career-high rank of 16 and has won three ATP titles. Sinner’s countryman, Matteo Berrettini , was a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, and has been ranked at #6.  ...

Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time defending champion.  She looked commanding in winning Brisbane last week.  She is a common favourite for a three-peat.  Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek sprang from the blocks at the United Cup and both appeared to be in all-conquering from when Swiatek out-battled Rybakina and Gauff blitzed Muchova.   And then they played each other in a high quality match that was fierce and delightful. Coco prevailed, so is she the favourite to dethrone Sabalenka?   Top Quarter Aryna Sabalenka (seeded 1) opens against Sloane Stephens , a once fearsome competitor who has aged slightly from her peak.   Linda Noskova (29) and Clara Tauson stage a popcorn first-rounder.   Noskova beat Swiatek last year at this event, and Tauson just won the title in Auckland last week. The winner could play Sabalenka in the third. Mirra Andreeva (14) famously took Sabalenka out of Roland Garros last year, but lost to her last week.   Andreeva...