The 2020 edition of Tennis Grand Slam event Australian Open is set to begin from Monday, January 20 and the first day’s fixtures have been announced by the tournament officials.
Women’s number 1 in singles Ashleigh Barty will kick off her campaign for the title at the Rod Laver Arena against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko on Monday.
At the same venue, eight-time champion Novak Djokovic will play his first match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
Defending champion in Women’s singles Naomi Osaka will serve her first to Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova in the first match of Day session.
Serena Williams, the oldest female player on the court will face Russia’s Anastasia Potapova as she begins her campaign to equal Margaret Court’s 24 singles titles record.
The 38-year-old swiss Roger Federer will also begin the pursuit of his 21st Grand Slam title as he faces American Steve Johnson in the final session of the first day.
The Australian Open is featuring 128 international tennis players facing off for the prestigious Grand Slam Trophy and $71 million prize money with a total of 2000 points up for the grabs.
Meanwhile, Britain’s Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Australian Open 2020 along with two more tournaments due to a pelvic injury. The 32-year-old was projected to recover from the year-long hiatus but has announced that he still has not made full recovery.
Earlier, the qualifying rounds for the Grand Slam event stirred controversy when several players complained and even walked out in protest due to smoke-filled air of Melbourne caused by raging bushfires all over Australia. Rains in recent days have cooled down the fires to the most extent and decent air quality is being expected during the Australian Open.
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