Australian Open 2020: Tuesday’s order of play, title winner predictions, TV, betting odds
What happened on day one?
American teenager Coco Gauff stole the headlines after defeating Venus Williams in straight sets on day one of the 2020 Australian Open.
The 15-year-old also beat Williams in the first round at Wimbledon last summer.
In the women’s singles in Melbourne 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams, world No.1 Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka are also through to the second round.
Men’s singles defending champion Novak Djokovic, six-time winner Roger Federer and British No.1 Dan Evans secured their places in round two.
Canadian Denis Shapovalov was knocked out by Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.
Tuesday 21 January: order of play
On day two in Melbourne world No.1 Rafael Nadal will face Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien on Rod Laver Arena. Australian star Nick Kyrgios will be in first-round action against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
There are six British players set to feature on day two. Kyle Edmund will continue his match against Dusan Lajovic while Johanna Konta, Katie Boulter, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie are also on the schedule.
Here we pick out the big games on the Melbourne show courts on Tuesday.
Rod Laver Arena (play starts at 12am GMT)
- Kristina Mladenovic (France) vs. Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic)
- Donna Vekic (Croatia) vs. Maria Sharapova (Russia)
- Rafael Nadal (Spain) vs. Hugo Dellien (Bolivia)
- Daniil Medvedev (Russia) vs. Frances Tiafoe (USA) – not before 8am GMT
- Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy) vs. Angelique Kerber (Germany)
Margaret Court Arena (play starts at 12am GMT)
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) vs. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Slovakia)
- Adrian Mannarino (France) vs. Dominic Thiem (Austria)
- Ajla Tomljanovic (Australia) vs. Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia)
- Jennifer Brady (USA) vs. Simona Halep (Romania) – not before 8am GMT
- Marco Cecchinato (Italy) vs. Alexander Zverev (Germany)
Melbourne Arena (play starts at 12am GMT)
- Polona Hercog (Slovenia) vs. Rebecca Peterson (Sweden)
- Madison Keys (USA) vs. Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
- Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia) vs. Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland)
- Alexei Popyrin (Australia) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) – not before 5am GMT
- Nick Kyrgios (Australia) vs. Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) – not before 8am GMT
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About the 2020 Australian Open
- What: first tennis grand slam of the year
- When: 20 January-2 February 2020
- Where: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
- Surface: hard courts outdoors
- Defending champions: Novak Djokovic (men’s singles); Naomi Osaka (women’s singles)
Australian Open UK TV and live stream details
The first grand slam of the season will be shown in the UK on Eurosport and a live stream will be broadcast via Eurosport Player. A monthly pass to Eurosport Player costs £6.99.
Seedings
Men’s singles seeds
- 1. Rafael Nadal
- 2. Novak Djokovic
- 3. Roger Federer
- 4. Daniil Medvedev
- 5. Dominic Thiem
- 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas
- 7. Alexander Zverev
- 8. Matteo Berrettini
- 9. Roberto Bautista
- 10. Gael Monfils
- 11. David Goffin
- 12. Fabio Fognini
Women’s singles seeds
- 1. Ashleigh Barty
- 2. Karolina Pliskova
- 3. Naomi Osaka
- 4. Simona Halep
- 5. Elina Svitolina
- 6. Belinda Bencic
- 7. Petra Kvitova
- 8. Serena Williams
- 9. Kiki Bertens
- 10. Madison Keys
- 11. Aryna Sabalenka
- 12. Johanna Konta
Predictions: men’s singles winner
Louis Sealey, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“We’ve become accustomed to seeing Djokovic stamp his authority on the tennis season by winning the Australian Open, and 2020 could be no different. Victory at the Australian Open could well mark the start of another year of dominance for undoubtedly the best male player in the world.”
George Bellshaw, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“Djokovic is always the man to beat in Australia and while hopefully the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev can challenge the old guard, he remains the favourite down under.”
Rod Laver, Australian tennis legend: Roger Federer
“He [Federer] seems to be fine and that’s what counts. If you love the game as much as you do, that’s fine. I also give Roger a very good chance of winning the Australian Open again in Melbourne.”
Todd Woodbridge, Australian former professional: Daniil Medvedev
“I’m going with Medvedev. That run he had through the US Open was just phenomenal. I think he believes, I reckon he thinks he can get into a final and take those guys out. He’s also the most dynamic of that group. He’s going to run all day long, he’s going to keep that ball going.”
Sam Groth, Australian former professional: Novak Djokovic
“It’s easy for me, defending champion Novak Djokovic. He’s having a huge off-season at the moment. We’ve seen footage of him all over social media and all the training he’s doing. He was so devastating in that final last year against Rafa and it’s hard to go past him again.”
Jelena Dokic, Australian former professional: Rafael Nadal
“Rafa won here in 2009, he hasn’t won since, but he’s been in five finals. I feel like he’s been a little unlucky here in Australia, playing well but getting injured. I think he deserves to win more than anyone here. So I’ve got to go with Rafa.”
Vithun Illankovan, Last Word on Tennis: Novak Djokovic
“I do not believe Rafael Nadal has a chance of winning the Australian Open. No man in the Open Era has won every Grand Slam at least twice and I highly doubt the Tennis Gods would allow this to change. On the other hand, I think Novak Djokovic will retain his title. He has won the tournament seven times, which is more than anyone in the Open Era. Therefore, he seems like a safe bet to be victorious once again in Melbourne.”
Tennis Pro Guru: Novak Djokovic
“Everybody will talk about Daniil Medvedev. Is he the one who can break into the ‘three men’ zone? Can he beat Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer? Our answer is clear. His time will come but not in February 2020. Novak Djokovic will be again the winner of the Australian Open. Barring an unexpected injury, he will be prepared to beat anyone.”
Tim Henman, speaking to BBC Sport: Novak Djokovic
“I will go for Djokovic. I think his record is so good down under. He has got enough time for rest and recuperation that he is the man to beat.”
Predictions: women’s singles winner
Dan Quarrell, Eurosport: Ashleigh Barty
“Fresh off a quite incredible 2019, home favourite Ash Barty is finally ready to end Australia’s singles drought at Melbourne Park. No Australian has won a singles championship in Melbourne since Chris O’Neill did so in 1978, but the Queenslander has the game and recently-discovered confidence to make it happen. The 23-year-old is already Australia’s first female world number one since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976 and is set to end another long wait.”
Jen Offord, Eurosport: Serena Williams
“Serena Williams has been building since her return from maternity leave, and though she might have to get past Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals, or possibly BFF Caroline Wozniacki, first, I think this is her time. With four grand slam finals and now, at last, her first WTA title since the 2017 Australian Open – which don’t forget she was pregnant when she won – she is fighting fit and will be well placed to give any young pretenders a run for their money.”
Tom Bennett, Eurosport: Naomi Osaka
“Women’s tennis is wide open at the moment and it makes for fascinating viewing. My heart says Serena [Williams] – I’d love to see her get that 24th win and prove that she can still win Grand Slams three years after her last title. However my head says Naomi Osaka to defend her crown. Despite her slump in form at the end of last year, Osaka is still a player with the game that perfectly suits the hard courts of Melbourne and a style that [if she gets it right] should avoid long rallies in the sweltering heat. That being said, such is the spread of quality in the women’s game currently, even though she is my favourite to win overall I wouldn’t be particularly surprised to see Osaka knocked out in the opening rounds.”
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Australian Open winner betting odds
Men’s singles champion
- Novak Djokovic: 6/5
- Rafael Nadal: 11/2
- Daniil Medvedev: 8/1
- Roger Federer: 10/1
- Stefanos Tsitsipas: 16/1
- Dominic Thiem: 25/1
- See the full price list at Oddshecker.com
Women’s singles champion
- Serena Williams: 7/2
- Naomi Osaka: 15/2
- Ashleigh Barty: 8/1
- Karolina Pliskova: 11/1
- Simona Halep: 14/1
- Aryna Sabalenka: 16/1
- See the full price list at Oddshecker.com