Carlos Alcaraz Rafa Nadal U.S.Open Russia Australia Melbourne FIVE Carlos Alcaraz Rafa Nadal U.S.Open Russia Australia Melbourne

Five top contenders for the Australian Open men's crown

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Five top contenders for the men's title at the Australian Open, which starts on Monday:NOVAK DJOKOVICThe former world number one is looking to match Rafa Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam titles and returns to Australia hoping to make headlines on the court following his deportation last year over his COVID vaccine stance.Djokovic overcame a hamstring issue and saved a championship point in Adelaide to win the final and maintain his unbeaten streak in Australia, which now stands at 33 matches since his last loss in the fourth round of the 2018 Australian Open.The 35-year-old is seeking a record-extending 10th title in Melbourne.RAFA NADALNadal is looking to defend his hard-earned 2022 crown and is the de facto number one in Melbourne following the injury withdrawal of fellow Spaniard and U.S.

Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.The 36-year-old did not have the best of starts to the season, however, losing both his matches in the inaugural United Cup.But Nadal put that down to rust having skipped tournaments in an injury-ravaged 2022 season where he won four titles, including two majors.DANIIL MEDVEDEVThe former world number one will be hoping to make it third-time lucky in Melbourne after losing the 2021 and 2022 finals to Djokovic and Nadal, respectively.Medvedev has slipped to eighth in the rankings but the Russian counter-puncher and hardcourt specialist has vowed to find a way to rediscover his 2021 form when he won his first major at the U.S.

Open.NICK KYRGIOSThe mercurial Australian has not played on tour since October and did not play in tune-up events due to a niggling injury, but such is his talent that he could walk into the main draw without match practice and still swat opponents aside.Kyrgios won the doubles title

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An emotional Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas Sunday to claim a 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal's 22 Grand Slam crowns, a victory that returned him to world number one.
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MELBOURNE : Novak Djokovic said playing without pain for the first time at this year's Australian Open on Monday had given him the belief that his hamstring would hold out in his hunt for a 10th title at Melbourne Park and 22nd major to match Rafa Nadal.

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