Australian Open draws unveiled: Medvedev vs. Kyrgios in second round; Barty vs. Osaka in the fourth?

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live discusses Novak Djokovic’s status for the upcoming Australian Open.

After an unexpected delay, the 2022 Australian Open draw was finally unveiled on Thursday afternoon in Melbourne Park. To answer the burning question right off the bat: yes, Novak Djokovic is still the top seed, and the three-time defending champion currently looks set to embark on his quest for a historic 21st Grand Slam title.

He’ll have his work cut out for him with 2009 champion Rafael Nadal also landing in his half of the men’s draw, putting them on a potential semifinal collision course. World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty could meet the defending champion Naomi Osaka as early as the fourth round in the women’s draw.

Here’s how the 2022 Australian Open draw shook out for both the men and the women:

Projected Quarterfinals:
[1] Novak Djokovic vs. [7] Matteo Berrettini
[3] Alexander Zverev vs. [6] Rafael Nadal
[4] Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. [8] Casper Ruud
[2] Daniil Medvedev vs. [5] Andrey Rublev

As his visa drama extends into another day, Djokovic has shown laser-like focus as he prepares for his record-extending 10th Australian Open bid. Should everything stay the same, Djokovic will take on fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. Djokovic’s quarter also includes seventh seed Matteo Berrettini, and the pair could meet for the fourth Grand Slam in a row.

Sixth seed Nadal anchors the bottom corner of Djokovic’s side of the draw, and the Spaniard has a tough path to his second Melbourne major. He starts against Marcos Giron, and could get 28th seed Karen Khachanov in the third round, last year’s semifinalist Aslan Karatsev in the fourth round and third seed Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.

The bottom half of the draw features Danill Medvedev as the second seed. The US Open champion, who reached the final in Melbourne last year, will take on Henri Laaksonen first up, with Nick Kyrgios looming as a potential second-round opponent. Stefanos Tsitsipas and countryman Andrey Rublev have also landed in Medvedev’s half.

Click here to view the full 2022 Australian Open men’s singles draw.

Must-see early-round matches:
[7] Matteo Berrettini vs Brandon Nakashima—Wimbledon finalist Berrettini will have to hit the ground running as he takes on rising American Nakashima in the first round.
[23] Reilly Opelka vs Kevin Anderson—For fans of servebot tennis, this clash between big hitters should feature plenty of firepower and plenty more aces.
Andy Murray vs. [21] Nikoloz Basilashvili—Murray might be feeling a bit of deja vu with this one: Murray has won their previous two matches, including a three-hour and 13-minute marathon in Sydney just one day ago.

Potential second-round clash to keep an eye on:
Nick Kyrgios vs [2] Daniil Medvedev—Should both players advance, home favorite Kyrgios could meet the Russian in a blockbuster second round.

Projected Quarterfinals:
[1] Ashleigh Barty vs. [5] Maria Sakkari
[4] Barbora Krejcikova vs. [8] Paula Badosa
[3] Garbine Muguruza vs. [6] Anett Kontaveit
[2] Aryna Sabalenka vs. [7] Iga Swiatek

Barty is looking to continue her winning ways after triumphing on home soil in Adelaide. The Aussie will start her campaign for her first Melbourne title against a qualifier, but 13th seed Osaka could derail her plans with the pair projected for a fourth-round clash should both advance.

The Japanese player put in a strong showing in tune-up events, despite slipping to No. 14 in the rankings after a topsy-turvy 2021 season. Osaka will face Camila Osorio first. Fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova and fifth seed Maria Sakkari also feature in Barty and Osaka’s half of the draw, as well as eighth seed Paula Badosa, who has booked a mouthwatering opening clash with home favorite Ajla Tomljanovic.

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will start her Australian Open campaign looking for her first win of the season against Aussie wild card Storm Standers. In 2021, Sabalenka reached first Grand Slam semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open. She could meet 23rd seed Leylah Fernandez, who outshined her at Flushing Meadows last September, in the fourth round.

Third seed Garbine Muguruza and sixth seed Anett Kontaveit have also landed in Sabalenka’s half, with 14th seed Simona Halep and No. 17 Emma Raducanu also looming in a loaded top quarter.

Click here to view the full 2022 Australian Open women’s singles draw.

Must-see first-round women’s matches:
[17] Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens— One of the most anticipated early clashes pits the 2017 and 2021 US Open champions against one another in the first round, with the winner potentially facing Simona Halep in the third round.
[11] Sofia Kenin vs Madison Keys— Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, will get a stern test in the first round against countrywoman Keys, while another American, Coco Gauff, could await the winner in the third round.
[8] Paula Badosa vs Ajla Tomljanovic—The home fans will have plenty to cheer for as Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic takes on rising Spaniard Badosa in the opening round.

The Australian Open main draw begins on Monday, January 17.