Australian Open: Berrettini and Sinner with new options
The two Italian aces Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner have opened up new opportunities at the Australian Open 2022 due to the early departure of two top players.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 18, 2022, 03:27 pm
One thing must have been clear to Matteo Berrettini before the draw for the Australian Open 2022: there would be a meeting with Novak Djokovic , like at the French Open, the US Open and Wimbledon last year. And lo and behold: Djokovic and Berrettini were of course drawn into the top quarter, basically a guarantee that the Italian will end with the quarterfinals. Just like in two of the three majors mentioned last year (in Wimbledon Djokovic won the final against Berrettini).
After Sunday's verdict, which resulted in the expulsion of the world number one from Australia, the tableau for Matteo Berrettini suddenly looks much friendlier. The Roman also put up with a rather demanding first round: Berrettini was able to hold his own against Brandon Nakashima in four sets on Monday, now Stefan Kozlov from the USA is waiting. However, the other tasks up to a possible semi-final would also include a meeting with Carlos Alacaraz, against whom Berrettini lost in a thrilling match last autumn in the Wiener Stadthalle. But everything is still better than the prospect of having to play against Novak Djokovic in the round of eight.
A question mark for a deep run still remains - and that stands behind Berrettini's health. Because the ATP Finals in Turin are not that long ago. And there the local hero had to give up with an abdominal muscle injury in the first match against Alexander Zverev. Berrettini had the same fate at the Australian Open last year. He couldn't even compete against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16.
Sinner has no points to defend
In Turin, Jannik Sinner then jumped into the breach. And the young South Tyrolean suddenly had new options in Melbourne due to the late absence of a top player. Of course, Casper Ruud cannot be put on the same level as Novak Djokovic. However, the Norwegian's withdrawal due to an ankle injury has made Sinner's potential route to the quarter-finals that much smoother.
After his opening success against Joao Sousa, Sinner plays against Steve Johnson in round two, then potentially against Andy Murray. Only in the quarter-finals would Stefanos Tsitsipas be an opponent around the corner, who is ahead of Sinner in the ATP charts.
In contrast to Berrettini, who has to defend his 180 points from the previous year, the first major of 2022 has great potential for Jannik Sinner. Because a year ago, the younger of the two hopeful Italians failed at the start after five tough sets against Denis Shapovalov.
Here is the individual tableau of the Australian Open 2022
laver arena