The reward for the winner? A likely second round meeting with 20th seed Karolina Muchovaa former top-10 player and Grand Slam giant.
The player who overcame an injured Osaka in the Auckland final, Clara Tausonis one of the game’s biggest hitters and opens against 29th seed Linda Noskovawho stunned Swiatek in the third round at AO 2024.
The winner of Tauson-Noskova is projected for a third-round meeting with Sabalenka.
MORE: Sinner avoids rivals, Alcaraz and Zverev in potential clash
Elsewhere, former world No.2 Our Jabeur landed in the bottom quarter, where she opens against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
A second-round clash awaits against No.31 seed Maria Sakkariand should Jabeur keep winning, the three-time major finalist could meet No.8 seed Emma Navarro in the last 32.
Two more young stars, Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimovahave landed in the very bottom segment of the draw. They could meet in the second round, with the winner facing a likely third-round clash with Swiatek.
Former US Open champion Raducanu drew a tough first-rounder in 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrovawhile Anisimova – a Hobart quarterfinalist – opens against Maria Lourdes Carle.
First-round blockbusters
It’s hard to go past Sabalenka v Stephens as the biggest first-round match. But there’s also Gauff v Kenin.
-All four players are Grand Slam champions.
Another one that we like is 16th seed Jelena Ostapenkothe 2017 Roland Garros winner, against former world No.4 Belinda Bencicwho continues her comeback after giving birth to daughter Bella last April.
Ostapenko and Bencic are in the same loaded section as Osaka, Garcia and Muchova, any of whom they could meet in the third round.
How did the Aussies fare?
Jones got the toughest first-round test in the form of 2022 Wimbledon winner Rybakina. Joining Jones in the bottom half is Olivia Gadeckiwho drew former top-10 player Veronika Kudermetova.
But it’s also incredibly tough for fellow wildcard Maya Jointwho got seventh seed Jessica Pegula as her first rounder.
Former top Aussies Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic drew Anna Blinkova and Ashlyn Krueger respectively, while rising star Talia Gibson opens against Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez.
After the draw was released, Destanee Aiava won her final-round qualifying match to join her countrywomen in the main draw – but her first-round opponent is yet to be determined.
Two more Aussies, Kimberly Birrell and Elena Micicare in final-round qualifying action later on Thursday.
