Alex de Minaur is amongst 9 Australian gamers scheduled to compete on day two at Wimbledon 2024.
London, Nice Britain, 2 July 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Alex de Minaur is “prepared for a battle” in his opening-round showdown with compatriot James Duckworth on day two at Wimbledon 2024.
“He’s extraordinarily harmful, had superb wins on grass,” the ninth seed famous of Duckworth, who’s seven years his senior.
That is the fourth consecutive Grand Slam event that Australian males have confronted off within the opening spherical, which is a 39-year first.
“At the very least there might be one other Aussie within the second spherical,” stated world No.81 Duckworth shrugged when requested if there was a silver lining to the all-Australian match-up.
The 32-year-old Duckworth is considered one of 4 Australian gamers going through a top-20 opponent on day two.
Chris O’Connell meets world No.12 and newly topped Eastbourne champion Taylor Fritz, whereas Thanasi Kokkinakis takes on world No.17 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“Clearly a really robust opponent, is aware of his manner round a grass court docket as effectively,” world No.93 Kokkinakis stated of the Wimbledon 2021 quarterfinalist.
“I feel we’ve obtained related recreation types in a manner, we’re each going to attempt to do the identical form of factor. He at all times brings good depth, may be very bodily, so I’ve obtained to be there and match his depth and match his degree. I feel it ought to be a great match. I positively suppose I’ve obtained an opportunity.”
Ajla Tomljanovic is getting ready for a “very robust” first-round task of her personal towards world No.14 Jelena Ostapenko.
However after lacking final yr’s event with a knee harm, the 31-year-old declared she is “simply excited to play”.
“We’ve had some thrilling matches each time we performed one another,” stated Tomljanovic, who defeated the big-hitting Latvian within the third spherical at Wimbledon in 2021.
“I do know from the get go, I’ve to carry out at a very excessive degree and that’s perhaps a bit extra stress moving into, however on the identical time, I really feel prepared.”
It’s additionally a giant day for 3 Australians making their Wimbledon main-draw singles debuts. This consists of world No.173 Olivia Gadecki, who accomplished a profitable qualifying marketing campaign to earn her spot.
“It’s at all times been a dream to play right here,” stated the 22-year-old, who faces American qualifier Robin Montgomery within the first spherical.
“It’s an thrilling time to check my skills towards the following degree.”
World No.77 Rinky Hijikata is competing within the males’s singles occasion at Wimbledon for the primary time too, going through fast-rising Italian Flavio Cobolli.
“Ever since I used to be a child, I’ve at all times dreamt of enjoying right here,” the 23-year-old stated. “I’ve been shut a few instances now, however to type of get right here alone advantage this yr feels good. I’m simply actually excited.”
World No.101 Adam Walton will make his Wimbledon debut as effectively, going through Argentine Federico Coria.
“It’s a really particular event, it’s very prestigious,” stated the 25-year-old from Queensland. “Aside from the Australian Open, it’s in all probability the following greatest event for us Australians to play, so simply actually wanting ahead to the chance.”
Wimbledon is broadcast stay in Australia on the 9 Community and Stan Sport, with protection starting from 7.30pm AEST.
Aussies in motion on day two:
Males’s singles, first spherical
[9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [LL] James Duckworth (AUS), Courtroom 12, first match (from 8pm AEST)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Thiago Monteiro (BRA), Courtroom 9, first match (from 8pm AEST)
Adam Walton (AUS) v Federico Coria (ARG), Courtroom 11, second match
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Flavio Cobolli (ITA), Courtroom 9, third match
Chris O’Connell (AUS) v [13] Taylor Fritz (USA), Courtroom 18, third match
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [17] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN), Courtroom 17, fourth match (not earlier than 1.30am AEST)
Girls’s singles, first spherical
[WC] Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [13] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT), Courtroom 12, second match
[Q] Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v [Q] Robin Montgomery (USA), Courtroom 11, third match
> VIEW: Full Wimbledon 2024 day two schedule
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