Australian Open Day 3: Stars Clash in High-Stakes Matches

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Open entered its third day of Round 1 action Wednesday, with top seeds and rising stars taking center stage at Melbourne Park. The day featured high-profile matchups, including an all-American clash between No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz and Jenson Brooksby, as well as defending champions and World No. 1s aiming to solidify their dominance.

Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American men’s player, faced compatriot Jenson Brooksby in a highly anticipated match. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina and Daniil Medvedev, both former Grand Slam champions, sought to advance in their respective draws. Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, is eyeing a strong start to his campaign after a semifinal run in New York last year.

Novak Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, remains the favorite in the men’s draw despite recent injury concerns. The Serbian star is chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the top two seeds, are expected to dominate, but challengers like Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are poised to disrupt the status quo.

In the UK, fans can catch the action live on Eurosport, with streaming available via the Eurosport website or app. Matches on the outside courts begin at midnight UK time, while show court action starts at 1 a.m. Night sessions are scheduled for 8 a.m. local time.

The tournament also marks the return of Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, who is looking to build on her recent Billie Jean King Cup performances. Raducanu’s progress will be closely watched as she aims to reclaim her form on the Grand Slam stage.

With a mix of established stars and emerging talents, the 2024 Australian Open promises thrilling matches and unexpected twists as the first Grand Slam of the year unfolds.