Hurkacz, Fritz Face Off in Australian Open First Round

MELBOURNE, Australia — Hubert Hurkacz and Taylor Fritz are set to clash in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at Melbourne Park. Both players enter the tournament with mixed recent form, setting the stage for a compelling matchup.

Hurkacz, ranked No. 9 in the world, has struggled in his last five matches, losing three. The Polish star began the season with a shaky performance at the United Cup, dropping his first two matches before rallying to help Poland reach the finals. However, he fell to Taylor Fritz in a tight three-set battle. Last year in Melbourne, Hurkacz reached the quarterfinals, narrowly losing to Daniil Medvedev in five sets.

Fritz, the American No. 1, has won four of his last five matches, including a strong showing at the United Cup where he helped the U.S. secure the title. Last year, Fritz also reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne, losing to Novak Djokovic in four sets. This marks his best performance at the Australian Open to date.

On the other side of the draw, Jenson Brooksby makes his return to competitive tennis after a two-year suspension for missed drug tests. The unranked American, once ranked as high as No. 33, faces an uphill battle against Fritz. Brooksby, who has been open about his autism spectrum disorder, expressed readiness to compete despite his long absence from the tour.

Bookmakers favor Hurkacz and Fritz in their respective matches, citing their experience and recent form. However, Brooksby’s resilience and talent could make his match against Fritz more competitive than expected.

The Australian Open’s first round features five all-country matchups, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN or stream it via platforms like fuboTV and ESPN+.