Alcaraz studies Sinner closely. Australian Open, it's Paolini's turn

Jannik Sinner e Carlos Alcaraz They found themselves side by side yesterday morning, in an indoor training session forced by the crazy weather Melbourne. A sort of appetizer of what could be the grand finale of the first Slam of 2025. The Italian number one in the world then faced the Chilean giant Jarry in the Italian night: a test at his debut that was not exactly easy, but after all, ours is now the reference and the bogeyman of all his opponents. The Red of Sesto is the favorite in Australia, the defending champion and also the winner of the last Major of 2024, the US Open. Carlitos, who also won Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year, finds himself chasing. The recent change of racket indicates the desire to fill the gap, not without risk. Today in the first round he faces Shevchenko.

Who else can threaten Jannik, who can aspire to the Happy Slam? Djokovic is always Djokovic, or maybe not anymore. Murray's new coach may not be enough to bring the 37-year-old star back to the top. Today, in his debut, he faces the American Basavareddy. Watch out for Zverev, who reached the semifinals in Australia in 2020 and 2024. The German number 2 ATP defeated the number 104, the Frenchman Lucas Pouille, in three sets, with a score of 6-4 6-4 6-4. The 27-year-old giant is to be feared and still leads 4-2 in the confrontations with Sinner. Then there is always Medvedev, who last year succumbed to the irresistible comeback of Jannik in the final. But the taboo has been reversed: the Russian has lost 8 of the last nine confrontations.

The first two Italians on the field, Luciano Darderi and Matteo Gigante, were immediately out yesterday. The first, number 45 ATP, was forced to retire in his debut against the Spaniard Pedro Martinez (44 in the world), with the Iberian leading 6-3, 4-1. Today on the program Fognini-Dimitrov, tonight here are Berrettini-Norrie, the Italian derby Arnaldi-Musetti, Sonego-Wawrinka, Nardi-Diallo and Cobolli-Etcheverry. The Open presents traps for everyone. Casper Ruud, sixth seed in the seeding, survives after a five-set fight with the Spaniard Munar.

In the women's tournament, Jasmine Paolini makes her debut tonight, against the Chinese Wei Sijia. The Italian number 4 Wta, after the two Slam finals of 2024, can only be one of the big favorites. In sunny Australia she has already shown a smile and an awareness that can take her far.