On January 16, Beijing time, the Australian Open will usher in the first matchday of the main tournament. On matchday 1, the men's and women's singles first half will be played, Nadal, Svyatek, Medvedev, Tsitsipas and other stars will make their debuts, and six Chinese players, including Zheng Qinwen, will also play on match day 1.
Defending champion Nadal's first-round opponent is British post-00s youngster Draper. Nadal has been in poor form since last season's US Open, with the Spaniard losing seven of his last eight games. Draper has improved greatly last season, knocking out Aliassime in the second round of the US Open last year, and Draper is now ranked 40th in the world. The first-round match against Draper will be a tough battle for Nadal.
Women's singles top seed Swiatek will face world number 68 German Nimeyer for the challenge. Swiatek is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and started the season with a 3-1 record in the Union Cup. She and Niemeyer met once in the round of 16 of the US Open last year, and Swiatek turned around after losing a set, one of only two US Open concedions last year.
The women's singles round will feature a showdown between former tournament champions, with 2012 and 2013 champion Azarenka facing 2020 tournament champion Kenning. Kenning has made a comeback this season, reaching the semi-finals at Hobart. Azarenka beat Zheng Qinwen in Adelaide, and finished the new season with a record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Aza and Kenin have met twice before, with both winning one each.
Men's singles No. 7 seed Dmitry Medvedev will face world No. 60 Jilong, who has finished runners-up at the Australian Open for the past two years and is looking to go further this season. Geelong has played in the Australian Open three previous tournaments, and has suffered a round on all three occasions. Medvedev and Gironne have met once before, with Medvedev winning easily in two sets.
A total of six Chinese players appeared on the first day. Yuan Yue will play at the Rodrawall Stadium against the tournament No. 6 seed Sakkari, and this match is more important for Yuan Yue to learn and accumulate experience. Wang Xinyu's opponent is local wildcard player Hunter, ranked 227th in the world, and Wang Xinyu easily won last year's meeting between Indian Wells. Zheng Qinwen is playing as the No. 29 seed, and her opponent is world No. 86 Galfi, this match should not be a big problem for Zheng Qinwen to win as long as he plays normally.
The 17-year-old passed the trials of the qualifying tournament and reached the Grand Slam main draw for the first time. His first-round opponent is world No. 74 Ott, and Xiao Shang has a good chance of winning if he continues his qualifying form. Wildcard-wielding Wu Yixiang's first-round opponent is world No. 51 Frenchman Mutai, who met in the third round of US Open qualifying last year, and Wu Yixiang eliminated his opponent to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time. Zhu Lin will face world No. 66 Marino of Canada in the first round, and the two are very close in rank and strength, winning one of each of the previous two meetings.
Australian Open first-day key fixture schedule (Beijing time):
Nadal vs Draper (no earlier than 11:30)
Kenning vs Azarenka (no earlier than 11:30)
Swiatek vs Niemeyer (16:00)
Medvedev vs Gironne (no earlier than 17:30)
Shang Cheng VS Ott (08:00)
Wu Yixiang VS Mu Tai (08:00)
Yuan Yue VS Sakkari (no earlier than 9:30)
Cheng Chin Moon vs Garfield (no earlier than 11:30)
Julin vs Marino (no earlier than 11:30)
Wang Xinyu VS Hunter (no earlier than 13:30)