Australian Open 2023 draw: Jack Draper to face Rafael Nadal as Andy Murray drawn against Matteo Berrettini

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 12/01/2023 at 08:17 GMT

The draw for the first round of the 2023 Australian Open has thrown up some mouthwatering encounters and, from a British perspective, two intriguing clashes as 21-year-old Jack Draper faces the formidable challenge of taking on reigning champion Rafael Nadal, while the 35-year-old Andy Murray will have to prepare for a bruising battle against Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini.

Britain's Jack Draper has landed a scorching hot draw against defending champion Rafael Nadal while Andy Murray will take on Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Australian Open.

The draw could hardly be more daunting for the 21-year-old Draper, who will have to attempt to beat the man who produced a stunning triumph at Melbourne Park last year and who has 21 Grand Slam singles titles to his name.

Draper's countryman, Andy Murray, did not have things much easier as he was handed an opening-round clash with Italy's Matteo Berrettini, who is the No. 13 seed and very much expected to go deep in the men's draw with his huge game.

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Another Brit, Emma Raducanu, has been drawn against Germany's Tamara Korpatsch, but it is still not yet known if she will successfully recover from her ankle injury in time to participate in the opening Grand Slam of the season.

If the 20-year-old can get past both her ankle issue and Korpatsch, she could take on seventh seed Coco Gauff in what would be a hotly-anticipated clash.

As for the two favourites to prevail in the singles draws, Novak Djokovic will take on Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena as he makes his return to the country he was deported from in somewhat farcical circumstances last January prior to the start of the tournament.

Djokovic, who is aiming to both clinch a record-extending 10th title at Melbourne Park and draw level with his great rival, Nadal, on 22 Grand Slam singles titles, has so far received a very warm welcome back from the Australian fans but is sweating on a hamstring injury in the lead-up to the tournament.

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Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, will take on Jule Niemeier as the world No. 1 looks to surpass her semi-final finish last time out in Melbourne and secure a fourth Grand Slam singles title.

Iga Swiatek

Image credit: Getty Images

As for the other Brits, 2018 semi-finalist Kyle Edmund has a very tough draw against 15th seed and rising star Jannik Sinner of Italy.

Cameron Norrie, Britain's highest-ranked men's player and the 11th seed, will take on French wild card Luca van Assche. Dan Evans, who is the 25th seed, will play against Argentina's Facundo Bagnis.

Another fascinating contest will pit two former champions against each other in a first-round blockbuster as Victoria Azarenka takes on Sofia Kenin.

The Australian Open main draw will get underway at Melbourne Park on January 16 with the men's final bringing the tournament to a close on January 29.

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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

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