Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season’s first major, ruling out a replay of last year’s semifinal encounter.

Tennis expert and respected coach Mark Petchey believes Jannik Sinner has one “huge” advantage over Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Sinner is the defending champion at the season-opening Grand Slam and he will also start the tournament as the world No 1 and top seed.

Novak Djokovic is targeting an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam crown but faces an uphill battle against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. - Carlos Alcaraz - Still just 21, the Spaniard already owns four Grand Slam titles -- including the French Open and Wimbledon last year -- since bursting on the scene with victory at the US Open in 2022.