De Minaur prepared for 'absolute battle' with Tiafoe at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 22 : The Australian Open enters the third round on Friday as the world's top players battle for Grand Slam glory in Melbourne.

Men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet, while two-times Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka takes on Anastasia Potapova.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: TIAFOE V DE MINAUR

Both Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe have spent the last few years of their career as part of a chasing pack behind the world's top players, often threatening to break through but never quite managing to live up to their potential.

On Friday, one of them will once again fall short in their bid to win a first Grand Slam title when they cross paths.

De Minaur holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over the American and is relishing the challenge.

"He's playing well, got a lot of firepower. He's a veteran. We've had some battles in the past," De Minaur told reporters.

"I wouldn't expect anything other than an absolute battle against him. He seems to be locked in."

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SHNAIDER V SVITOLINA

In the women's draw, Russia's Diana Shnaider will take on Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in a clash that comes amid renewed discussion of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova called for Russian and Belarusian players to be banned from tennis. Players from the two nations compete as neutrals.

Asked about Oliynykova's comments, Shnaider told reporters: "I haven't seen what statement she made, and I don't know what was her intention there.

"Me personally, (I'm) here just to play tennis, just do my job, show some great tennis, enjoy the crowd, enjoy the atmosphere."

Svitolina, who has been outspoken in support of her home country since the invasion in 2022, said: "The war