{"id":49069,"date":"2024-01-17T17:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/djokovic-and-sabalenka-back-in-australian-open-action-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-17T17:00:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T17:00:04","slug":"djokovic-and-sabalenka-back-in-australian-open-action-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/djokovic-and-sabalenka-back-in-australian-open-action-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Djokovic and Sabalenka back in Australian Open action | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nMELBOURNE:
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Novak Djokovic resumes his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title Wednesday against home hope Alexei Popyrin, while fellow defending champion Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> faces her second consecutive qualifier.<\/p>\n

Serbian superstar Djokovic dropped a set against unheralded Croat Dino Prizmic in his opening clash and will not want to do repeat the feat against 43rd-ranked Popyrin.<\/p>\n

But the 10-time Australian Open<\/a> winner heads into the night match on Rod Laver Arena with lingering concerns over his health after admitting he was “a bit under the weather” against Prizmic.<\/p>\n

“Look, it is what it is. You just have to try to deal with it and get over it and accept the circumstances and try to make the most of it,” he said.<\/p>\n

Should he come through against the Australian, the world number one will face a third-round clash against veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils or Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who ended Andy Murray’s tournament.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka will be on centre court ahead of Djokovic<\/a> to face Czech qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova.<\/p>\n

The powerful Belarusian second seed dropped just one game in obliterating her first-round opponent, with Fruhvirtova set to face more of her wrath.<\/p>\n

Men’s fourth seed Jannik Sinner is also in action, against Dutchman Jesper de Jong on Margaret Court Arena as he looks to maintain his recent impressive form, which has included a win over Djokovic.<\/p>\n

US Open champion Coco Gauff, who romped through her first match, will follow on from Sinner against fellow American Caroline Dolehide in her quest for a maiden title at Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n

Men’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, last year’s losing finalist, meets Australian Jordan Thompson, but is not worried about a hostile crowd, with a big Greek contingent in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

“I know I have a great fan base, I have a great crowd by my side. This gives me belief, this gives me an additional type of confidence that is not typically there on other tournaments,” he said.<\/p>\n

Other players in action include women’s sixth seed Ons Jabeur against exciting Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, former champion Caroline Wozniacki, and men’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n