Alcaraz gets Gasquet, Swiatek faces former champ Kenin on Australian Open Day 3

The first round comes to a close on Day 3, which means the sport’s two youngest superstars, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, will finally take a bow in Rod Laver Arena. Iga goes first at noon; Carlitos goes last in the evening session. Here’s a look ahead at their matches, and others that should be worth your attention as the day progresses.

From Roland Garros final to Australian Open first-rounder

• [1] Iga Swiatek vs. Sofia Kenin, first on Rod Laver Arena (day)

Swiatek is the top seed and world No. 1, but her opponent has what she wants: an Australian Open title. Kenin won hers back in 2020, and then nearly won another major at Roland Garros later that season, before Swiatek stopped her in the final, 6-4, 6-1.

Is there any reason to expect a different outcome in this high noon showdown in Laver? Kenin has worked her back from the abyss, and into the Top 40, over the last two years, and she upset another Top 5 opponent, Coco Gauff, in the first round at Wimbledon last year. But Swiatek is also coming off a promising finish to her 2023 season, in which she won the WTA Finals in a rout and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking. She has looked sharper to start 2024 than she did last year. Winner: Swiatek

How far can the Dimitrov surge go?

• Grigor Dimitrov vs. Marton Fucsovics, second on John Cain Arena

Dimitrov is a fan favorite everywhere he goes, and that goes double Down Under. In 2017, he made the semifinals at the AO, and lost a classic to Rafael Nadal. This year in Brisbane, he capped a surprising renaissance at age 32 with his first title in six years.

Unfortunately for Dimitrov and his fans in John Cain Arena on Tuesday, he wasn’t a favorite of the draw gods this year. He has to face Fucsovics, a heavy hitter who has won two of their three meetings. But Fucsovics is 31 and ranked No. 70, and doesn’t seem destined for a renaissance like Dimitrov’s. Winner: Dimitrov

A former champ and runner-up return to the scene of their successes

• Danielle Collins vs. Angelique Kerber, second on 1573 Arena

If Dimitrov-Fucsovics is a dud, you might try heading to 1573 Arena for this clash of the comeback artists. Just follow the American’s grunts and shrieks across the grounds.

Kerber, 33, is returning after having a baby and missing the 2023 season. Collins, 30, isn’t returning from any time off, but she is trying to put an off year behind her. The former Top Tenner is down to No. 62.

Both women are hoping that Melbourne Park will flood them with positive memories. Kerber won the title there in 2016, and Collins was runner-up in 2022. They’ve played twice: Kerber blew out Collins 6-1, 6-1 at Eastbourne in 2018; Collins returned the favor, 6-0, 6-2, at the AO in 2019. Winner: Collins

Generations cross paths in the last match in Laver

• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Richard Gasquet, second on Rod Laver Arena (night)

Alcaraz is 20, and just getting started at the Australian Open. He missed last year’s edition with an injury, but he’ll have the better part of the next two decades to make up for it. Gasquet, 37, may be taking his final bow Down Under, where he first played in 2003. It wasn’t his favorite Slam—he never reached the quarterfinals—but the tennis-loving Aussie public will want to get a last look at that all-time-great one-handed backhand. There’s never been one quite like it, and there never will be again. Winner: Alcaraz

The Brit and the American make a late night return to Slam action

• Emma Raducanu vs. Shelby Rogers, fourth on 1573 Arena

Alcaraz may be the highlight of lat -night, but there’s one last comeback clash to fit in as well. Emma Raducanu, a US Open champ in what feels like another lifetime—it was only 2021—will take on Shelby Rogers, who will be playing her first event since Wimbledon, in 1573 Arena. Raducanu won their only previous meeting, at the aforementioned 2021 Open. But Rogers has slayed her share of Slam champs over the years. Winner: Raducanu