Australians Storm Hunter, John Millman and Jason Kubler are scheduled to play on day one at Australian Open 2023.
Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers
The countdown to Australian Open 2023 is over.
Main-draw action at the first Grand Slam of the season begins at Melbourne Park today.
The day one schedule is headlined by top seeds Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek, as well as six Australians competing in first-round singles matches.
This includes fan favourites Storm Hunter, John Millman and Jason Kubler, as well as rising stars Olivia Gadecki, Talia Gibson and Rinky Hijikata in their main-draw debuts.
> BUY NOW: Australian Open 2023 tickets
Aussies in action:
[WC] Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v [Q] Polina Kudermetova
Women’s singles, first round, Court 8, first match (from 11am AEDT)
This is a fascinating showdown between two rising talents making their Grand Slam main-draw singles debuts. The highly touted Gadecki, a 20-year-old wildcard from the Gold Coast, is ranked No.199 and being mentored by Australian Open 2022 champion Ash Barty. Kudermetova, a 19-year-old qualifier ranked world No.182, has high-profile support too. Her older sister, Veronika, is currently ranked inside the world’s top 10 in both singles and doubles.
Head-to-head record: First meeting
> READ MORE: Stars align for Olivia Gadecki
[WC] Talia Gibson (AUS) v [Q] Clara Burel (FRA)
Women’s singles, first round, Court 3, second match
Gibson, an 18-year-old from Perth, is making her Grand Slam main-draw debut. The world No.344, who was named Female Junior Athlete of the Year at the 2022 Australian Tennis Awards, was awarded a wildcard after winning three ITF titles in her first year on tour. Gibson faces world No.130-ranked qualifier Burel, an Australian Open 2018 girls’ singles finalist. The 21-year-old Frenchwoman is making her fourth main-draw appearance at Melbourne Park and aiming to progress beyond the opening round for a first time.
Head-to-head record: First meeting
> VIEW: Australian Open 2023 women’s singles draw
[WC] Jason Kubler (AUS) v Sebastian Baez (ARG)
Men’s singles, first round, John Cain Arena, third match (not before 3.30pm AEDT)
Kubler has impressively scored two top-50 wins already in a sizzling start to 2023, helping the 29-year-old from Queensland rise to a career-high world No.86. The 29-year-old wildcard, who is making his fourth Australian Open main-draw appearance, is now aiming to claim a third. Kubler meets world…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…