📰 Table Of Contents
The Main Event
Jannik Sinner is determined not to let the ongoing case surrounding his failed drugs test distract him from defending his Australian Open crown.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol in March 2024 but was cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however, with the hearing set for April.
If CAS rule in WADA’s favor, then Sinner could face a lengthy ban from the sport.
The issue has clouded Sinner’s preparations for the season’s opening grand slam in Melbourne with home favorite Nick Kyrgios a particularly outspoken critic of the world number one.
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Sinner won his maiden major in Australia last year and opens his campaign tomorrow against Nicolas Jarry.
Asked how he maintains his focus on tennis, the Italian said: “How do I block it? It’s not that you put it in a part and you just say I don’t think any more about this. In my mind I know exactly what happened, and that’s how I block it, no?
“I haven’t done anything wrong. That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing. I don’t want to respond on what Nick said or what other players say.
“I think the most important part is to have my people around me who I can trust, people who exactly know what happened. That’s it.”
If Sinner was in need of some good news heading in the tournament he found it in the draw which has placed him in the top half and main challengers Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the bottom.
Jarry, the world number 34, is a tricky opening assignment for Sinner – the pair’s head-to-head record stands at 1-1 – although Jarry’s win did come back in 2019.
There are stars everywhere you look on any which day you’re looking forward to at #AO2025!
This includes Monday, in which defending champion @janniksin, 2023 runner-up @steftsitsipas, second seed @iga_swiatek and two-time champion @vika7 enter the fray!https://t.co/3qDom4crrb
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 10, 2025
Also in action
The women’s second seed Iga Swiatek takes on Katerina Siniakova. Three-time French Open winner Swiatek made a surprise third-round exit to Linda Noskova 12 months ago but is likely to provide the biggest threat to Aryna Sabalenka’s three-peat bid.
Victoria Azarenka, the winner at Melbourne Park in 2012 and 2013, meets Lucia Bronzetti at the Kia Arena at a time likely to be after 1am GMT, while on the men’s side, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2023 runner-up, plays rising American Alex Michelsen.
Order of Play
Rod Laver Arena
From 12.30am GMT
(3) Coco Gauff (USA) vs Sofia Kenin (USA)
(1) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Nicolas Jarry (Chi)
From 8am
(7) Novak Djokovic (Srb) vs Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)
Naomi Osaka (Jpn) vs Caroline Garcia (Fra)
“I’m now here to sabotage his chances of winning another one” 😅
Andy Murray on coaching Novak Djokovic after losing four #AusOpen finals against him 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hxCLxwdOtW
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 9, 2025
Margaret Court Arena
From 12.30am
Ajla Tomljanovic (Aus) vs Ashlyn Krueger (USA)
(27) Jordan Thompson (Aus) vs Dominik Koepfer (Ger)
From 8am
Alexander Shevchenko (Kaz) vs (3) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa)
Daria Snigur (Ukr) vs (10) Danielle Collins (USA)
John Cain Arena
From 12.30am
(11) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) vs Alex Michelsen (USA)
Katerina Siniakova (Cze) vs (2) Iga Swiatek (Pol)
Aryna Sabalenka starts her Australian Open title defence with a strong win over Sloane Stephens 🤩#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/IiETrA9LLB
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 12, 2025
From 6am
Maya Joint (Aus) vs (7) Jessica Pegula (USA)
Jacob Fearnley (GB) vs Nick Kyrgios (Aus)
Check out the full Australian Open Day 2 schedule.
How to watch
The Australian Open will be shown in the US on ESPN and the Tennis Channel. Check the listings for start times.
Predictions
Sinner will need to be bring his A game from the off against Jarry. The Chilean has the potential to make it a tricky encounter for the defending champion but, providing his focus is solely on tennis, he should have enough to prevail.
Sinner to win in four sets
Swiatek and Azarenka should progress with few alarms but if you’re looking for an upset on day two then it may come for Tsitsipas.
The Greek will enjoy plenty of support in Melbourne as he attempts to avenge a three-set defeat to the 20-year-old Michelsen in their only previous meeting, in Tokyo last year. Michelsen to win in five sets.
