Alcaraz will be opposed to the young Chinese Shang Juncheng, 18 years old and 140th in the world at the Melbourne Central, where China will be in the spotlight with an opening clash between two representatives of this country, Zheng Qinwen (seeded N.12) and Yafan Wang (94th in the world). Swiatek will then meet the Czech Linda Noskova (50th) there at the start of the evening.
Two other matches particularly attract attention: in the Margaret Court Arena, the Russian Daniil Medvedev (3rd), who stayed on the court until 3:35 a.m. Friday to defeat the Finn Emil Ruusuvuori in five sets, faces the Canadian Felix Auger -Aliassime (30th). In the John Cain Arena, the Norwegian Casper Ruud (11th) and the British left-hander Cameron Norrie (22nd), who each delivered five sets in the previous round, will battle it out.
The Frenchman Ugo Humbert (N.21) will have his first big test against the Pole Hubert Hurcakz (N.9), who beat him twice in two confrontations, in the John Cain Arena.
The program of the main matches on Saturday (from 11 a.m. local, 1 a.m. in Paris):
Rod Laver Arena (from 2 hours in Paris)Zheng Qinwen (CHN/seed N.12) – Yafan Wang (CHN)Shang Jungchen (CHN) – Carlos Alcaraz (ESP/seed N.2)
(à partir de 9h)Iga Swiatek (POL/N.1) – Linda Noskova (CZE)Alexander Zverev (GER/N.6) – Alex Michelsen (USA)Margaret Court Arena (à partir de 12h00)Tommy Paul (USA/ N.14) – Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) Jelena Ostapenko (LET/N.11) – Viktoria Azarenka (N.18)
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN/N.27) – Daniel Medvedev (RUS/N.3) Jelena Ostapenko (BLR/N.11) – Viktorija Golubic (SUI))
John Cain Arena (2e match) Ugo Humbert (FRA/N.21) – Hubert Hurkacz (POL/N.9)
Court N.3
(3rd match)Arthur Cazaux (FRA) – Tallon Greekpoor (NED/N.28)
