good morning
And welcome to a very brief overview of the 2025 Australian Open (which is well underway by this time). I should’ve done this on Friday but I couldn’t be arsed. So here it is today. I hope some of these predictions hold up until at least today.
There are lots of fun storylines to look out for. The one I’m most interested is Kei Nishikori, the former World No. 4 whose career has been ravaged by injuries. His latest return began a couple months ago. He won his first-round match over the weekend (hooray!).
Men’s tournament:
- Fitzie’s favourites — Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic: No surprises here with the top four seeds. Sinner’s the defending champ and coming off one of the best seasons in recent memory, so he’s clearly the favourite. But how will Djokovic do? He’s the best to ever compete at the Aussie Open, but last year showed many signs age was wearing on him.
- Fitzie’s next-ups — Alex De Minaur, Taylor Fritz: Seeded eighth and fourth, respectively. Fritz is the better of the two and coming off his breakout season, so I hope he continues that. De Minaur had some injury problems last season. Hope he gets back from it.
- Fitzie’s dark horses — Frances Tiafoe, Arthur Fils, Tommy Paul, Tomas Mahac, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: Mostly gone for the big hitters here, but Fils and Perricard are two very exciting younger players from France. Mahac has a decent draw, if you consider an ageing Djokovic a decent opponent. Tiafoe had his breakout tournament here. Tommy Paul’s also got a nice draw.
Women’s draw:
- Fitzie’s favourites — Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff: How can you bet against the two-time reigning champion? She easily dispatched Sloane Stephens in the first round. Her toughest opponent would fall on the other side of the draw, if Swiatek or Gauff make it to the final.
- Fitzie’s next-ups: Qinwen Zheng, Jessica Pegula: If anyone else from Sabalenka’s half could make it to the final, it’s last year’s finalist Zheng. Only thing is, she’s got a horrific record against the Belarusian. Pegula took a big step last year by reaching the finals of the US Open. Can she carry that into this tournament?
- Fitzie’s dark horses — The Field: Probably unfair to lump the rest of the draw here, but that’s how I see it. I’m not even high on the fourth seed, Jasmine Paolini. Too much inconsistency to be sold on anyone.
If you insist on me naming some: I think Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva poses a real challenge to Sabalenka in the fourth round and wouldn’t be surprised by an upset. Her compatriot Diana Schneider is another big hitter. I’ll lump the craft Karolina Muchova and Dona Vekic here too, if you insist.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Mr Big Stuff, by Jean Knight
And now for your links:
Jay Harris ($$): “The worst nearly happened for Tottenham and Postecoglou… but it didn’t”
Guardian: “FA report into Maddy Cusack’s death to be shared with coroner this week”
The arguments for and against FA Cup replays
