Quebec’s Félix Auger-Aliassime meets a well-known opponent, Canadian Vasek Pospisil, in the first round of the Australian Open.

It will be a second Grand Slam tournament duel for the two friends. In 2019, the 22-year-old beat his eldest at Wimbledon at the start of the fortnight. However, in their last clash in Vienna in 2020, it was Pospisil who emerged victorious in straight sets.

Auger-Aliassime is sixth seeded in Melbourne and his quarter-final opponent could be Stefanos Tsitsipas (3rd). However, the dangerous Brit Cameron Norrie (11th) could run into him in the preliminary round.

Speaking of the dangerous Brit, the event’s defending champion, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, meets rising star Jack Draper from the start.

The other Canadian in the peloton, the Ontar Denis Shapovalov (20th), starts against the Serb Dusan Lajovic. Pole Hubert Hurkacz (10th) and he could meet in the third round.

A challenge for Fernandez

The Lavalloise Leylah Fernandez has inherited a difficult part of the table, she will play first against the 34th player in the world, France’s Alizé Cornet. In the second round, it is France’s highest-ranking representative who could be waiting for her, Caroline Garcia (4th).

In three appearances in the main draw at the Australian Open, Fernandez, 39th hitter in the WTA, never got past the first round.

Bianca Andreescu (42nd) will compete against seeded Czech Marie Bouzkova (25th) in the first round. She is also in the same section as world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Finally, Torontonian Rebecca Marino (66th) meets Chinese Lin Zhu (85th). If she succeeds in making the third round, the Greek Maria Sakkari (6th) could find herself on her way.

Recall that Australian Ashleigh Barty, who won the women’s tournament in 2022, announced her retirement last year.