Sinner and Sabalenka aim for back-to-back glory in Melbourne

Jannik Sinner will try to put a doping scandal behind him when he begins his Australian Open defense against Nicolas Jarry, while Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a hat-trick of titles begins on Sunday against Sloane Stephens.

The first Grand Slam of the year begins at Melbourne Park as a 15-day event for the second year in a row, with the aim of reducing nighttime finals.

Italian world number one Sinner is the heavy favorite after a breakthrough in 2024 built on the back of his victory over Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final.

It was his first Slam crown and he then added the US Open, with his overwhelming dominance illustrated by being more than 4,000 points ahead of world number two Alexander Zverev.

He has played Chile’s Jarry twice, winning their last clash in Beijing in September. But he needed to recover from a set disadvantage.

“Let’s see what I can do this year,” the 23-year-old said.

“It’s a question I don’t think any of us can answer. But it’s good to be back here and we’ll see what the tournament says.”

He begins his defense under a cloud after testing positive twice for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

Although he was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed and his case will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 16 and 17.

If he beats Jarry, the top seed could face Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas or Australian Alex de Miñaur in the quarterfinals.

Medvedev, who has reached three of the last four Australian Open finals, is a potential semi-final opponent as the Russian opens his account against Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej.

Carlos Alcaraz and ten-time champion Novak Djokovic are on the other side of the draw, with the heavyweight duo on a collision course in the last eight.

The Spanish Alcaraz aims to complete a Grand Slam of the four majors at only 21 years old and starts against the in-form Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko.

Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, has never made it past the quarterfinals in Melbourne.

“The main thing for me is the Grand Slams, trying to win as many Grand Slams as I can. That’s my main goal,” he said.

Despite being 37 years old and having had a mediocre season by his standards, few will bet against Djokovic on the blue hard courts where he has had his greatest success.

Chasing an 11th title, he would overtake Margaret Court as the all-time Slam leader with 25 if he won, with former rival Andy Murray now coaching him.

– Historical offer –

First he meets American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about him,” the Serbian said. “I saw that he is very fast. He is a very talented player.

“Obviously I have to approach this game very seriously, like any other, and do my best to get the victory.”

Second seed Zverev plays the men’s night match at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday against Frenchman Lucas Pouille, with sixth seed Casper Ruud also in action.

Zverev will be on court after Sabalenka, who begins her title defense against former US Open winner Stephens.

The Belarusian top seed seeks to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive titles.

If she does, Sabalenka will join a select group that also includes Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

“I know I have a chance to join legends by winning three times in a row,” he said.

“But I don’t want to think about it too much. I just want to do my job.”

World number three Coco Gauff also faces a tough start, with 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin waiting for her.

But second seed Iga Swiatek has an easier task against Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova, ranked 46th.

However, the five-time Grand Slam winner from Poland, who served a one-month ban for doping last year, has sixth seed Elena Rybakina and eighth seed Emma Navarro in her half of the draw.