Melbourne bis: mission possible. Sinner, three blue derbies on the horizon. Debut with Jarry and big only in the final

Where the good boy crossed paths with the myth a year ago, this time good luck also gets involved. Whether or not it is due to the last lucky ball thrown on New Year's Eve, Sinner can smile looking at the Australian Open draw. Real big names on the horizon only in the event of the final, first rounds: some pitfalls and at least a couple of derby in blue shades.

But it won't be a debut without pitfalls. Yes, because – on Tuesday or Wednesday – there is Nicolas Jarry, a Chilean giant with an explosive serve, who can immediately try to steal the rhythm from a Jannik with just a few exhibition matches under his belt (the one with Tsitsipas is scheduled for 9, live on Discovery+). Once the South American obstacle is overcome, here comes the host Schoolkate or the Japanese Daniel. There is a title to defend that evokes sweet memories: seven matches to get the third Slam. So much so that yesterday, while the draw was being made, Sinner said: "There is a reason why it is called 'Happy Slam', we are all happy to be here, I hope we can express an excellent level of tennis". Yes, phrases of circumstance, because the world of tennis is chasing the hare Jannik: "It's a slightly different feeling - he says -, we tried to have the best off season possible, I also wanted to try something different". Not to mention that already in the third round there could be the derby with the Italian Cobolli (Etcheverry the alternative). Great determination and a lot to prove, just like Matteo Berrettini, another Italian who is a candidate for the derby with Jannik, but in the fourth round. If the Roman is not there, his friend Hurkacz or Rune will take the field. Friendship must be put aside, especially with Matteo, as happened in 2024 at Wimbledon, but the Australian double is within reach.

Because a hypothetical quarterfinal could pit the two most dangerous opponents against each other, namely Novak Djokovic – with the new Andy Murray on the bench – and Carlitos Alcaraz. Sinner, in the same round, would instead face one of De Minaur (now a regular for defeat against the 23-year-old from Alto Adige), Tsitsipas (and today's match will tell us a lot), Khachanov or Cerundolo. A draw that is still in decline if compared to last year. Having reached the same point, in 2024, the Italian freed himself in 3 sets from Rublev. Who instead in this edition would only find himself in the semifinals, as an alternative to Taylor Fritz, or that Daniil Medvedev defeated last year just shy of the title or... Lorenzo Musetti. Yes, another Italian derby. The presence at the end of the tournament of the Carrara player, however, would be the result of another match under the same banner, the one with Matteo Arnaldi in the first round. The final promises to be a blockbuster match. Jannik's opponents could be, alternatively: Alexander Zverev, number two in the ranking, Carlos Alcaraz, number three, Novak Djokovic (in 2024 defeated in the semifinals) or Holger Rune. Everything still leads to that shiny trophy that Sinner holds in his hands, and has no intention of letting go.

As for the women's draw, the start will be downhill, even for Jasmine Paolini, number 4 Wta. She will face a qualifier or a lucky loser in the first round, then Taylor Townsend or Renata Zarazua. In the third round there is the risk of meeting Elina Svitolina. And in the round of 15 Beatriz Haddad Maia, 2022 in the world. In the quarterfinals the danger is called Elena Rybakina, winner at Wimbledon in 2, while in the semifinals the Italian could meet the number XNUMX Wta Iga Swiatek.