Australian Open: Serena and Djokovic Set To Start their Debut In Day 2

Australian Open: Serena and Djokovic Set To Start their Debut In Day 2

By: Francis Joseph

Tuesday will mark Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic's 2019 Australian Open debut. For the first time in career, the 23-time Grand Slam winner will face Tatjana Maria. Both are mothers: Serena gave birth to Olympia in September 2017, Maria to her daughter Charlotte.

Serena makes her comeback in Melbourne for the first time since 2017 when she defeated her sister Venus in the championship clash. The match between Destanee Aiava and Madison Keys will open the schedule on the Rod Laver Arena, followed by Williams-Bertens and Alexander Zverev against Aljaz Bedene.

Bedene wasn't particularly lucky with Australian Open draws as he faced Roger Federer in the opening round last year, losing in straight sets. Djokovic, a six-time tournament champion, faces the world No. 231 Mitchell Krueger, followed by the US Open champion Naomi Osaka who plays against Magda Linette.

On the Margaret Court Arena Kei Nishikori, who never went past the quarter-finals here, faces Kamil Majchrzak, followed by Daria Gavrilova against Tamara Zidansek. As last match of the day session, the 2003 and 2017 finalist Venus Williams plays against Mihaela Buzarnescu.

At night world No. 1 Simona Halep faces Kaia Kanepi, who already defeated the Romanian a few months ago at the 2018 US Open, then Dominic Thiem plays against Benoit Paire.

Today's Matches:

Rod Laver Arena – (WC) D. Aiava AUS vs (17) M. Keys USA

T. Maria GER vs (16) S. Williams USA (4)

A. Zverev GER vs A. Bedene SLO

Rod Laver Arena –
(1) N. Djokovic SRB vs (Q) M. Krueger USA (4)

N. Osaka JPN vs M. Linette POL

Margaret Court Arena –
(Q) K. Majchrzak POL vs (8) K. Nishikori JPN

T. Zidansek SLO vs D. Gavrilova AUS

V. Williams USA vs (25) M. Buzarnescu
ROU

Margaret Court Arena –
(1) S. Halep ROU vs K. Kanepi

B. Paire FRA vs (7) D. Thiem

AUT Melbourne Arena –

(Q) K. Muchova CZE vs (7) Ka. Pliskova CZE

(11) B. Coric CRO vs S. Darcis BEL L.

Siegemund GER vs V. Azarenka BLR

S. Stosur AUS vs D. Yastremska UKR

N. Kyrgios AUS vs (16) M. Raonic CAN