Australian Open 2023: Emma Raducanu takes on Tamara Korpatsch and Andy Murray against Matteo Berrettin | Tennis news

Emma Raducanu opens her Australian Open campaign against Germany’s world number 74 Tamara Korpatsch, while Andy Murray has been handed a blockbuster clash with Matteo Berrettini after Thursday’s draw in Melbourne.

Raducanu is fighting to overcome an ankle injury he suffered in Auckland last week and has at least avoided a seed, instead being 74th ranked Korpatsch.

The German won the first WTA 125 title of her career in Budapest last September, but Britain’s Raducanu believes in her chances of advancing to the second round, where she could meet seventh seed Coco Gauff.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray takes on former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettin in the opening match of the men’s draw, while defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal faces hot Brit Jack Draper – Daniil Medvedev in the same quarter.

Draper, 21, has risen rapidly through the rankings and has started the season in good form, beating Karen Khachanov to reach the semi-finals of the Adelaide International on Thursday.

Nadal battled for a 21st Grand Slam title in sensational fashion in Melbourne 12 months ago but is yet to win a match in 2023, losing six of his last seven.

There is no doubt that Draper, who played Novak Djokovic on his Wimbledon debut in 2021, will relish the opportunity as he looks to make a huge statement.

Murray curses his luck after finding a pair with 13th-ranked Berrettin.

The Italian reached the final at the All England Club in 2021 and was a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park 12 months ago when he beat Murray in the third round of the US Open last summer.

The two British seeds fared better as 11th seed Cameron Norrie took on young French wild card Luca Van Assche, while 25th seed Dan Evans takes on Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis.

Title favorite Djokovic faces Roberto Carballes Baena and is in the same quarter draw as Nick Kyrgios, who faces Roman Safiullin.

World number one Iga Swiatek, who has largely dominated the women’s game since Australia’s Ashleigh Barty retired following her win at Melbourne Park last year, faces a potentially tough opener against Wimbledon quarter-finalist Jule Niemeier.

Ons Jabeur begins her latest bid to become the first Arab player to win a Grand Slam title when she plays Tamara Zidansek. The Tunisian Jabeur was second last year at Wimbledon and the US Open.

And Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka meet in an opening-round match featuring two former Australian Open champions.

Kyle Edmund, playing in the tournament for the first time since 2020 after three knee surgeries, faces 11th seed Jannik Sinner, while British No. 2 Harriet Dart has been handed a tough draw against 32nd seed Jil Teichmann.