Sinner targets hat-trick, Sabalenka seeks redemption at 2026 Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Jannik Sinner will be aiming for a third straight men s title, while top women s seed Aryna Sabalenka strives to reclaim her crown at the A...

MELBOURNE: Jannik Sinner will be aiming for a third straight men's title, while top women's seed Aryna Sabalenka strives to reclaim her crown at the Australian Open, where China will be well represented at the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.

The focus of the men's draw is on world No.2 Sinner and top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who have split the past eight Grand Slam titles.

Sinner, a four-time major winner, comes into Melbourne on a 14-match winning streak at the tournament. He begins his title defence against France's Hugo Gaston and is on course to potentially meet 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

"The draw is very difficult, it doesn't matter who you play," said Sinner, who is aiming to join Djokovic as the only men's players to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park in the Open era.

Alcaraz will be striving for a seventh Grand Slam title before turning 23. Having already clinched majors at the other three grand slams, he has never made it past the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. He opens against Australian Adam Walton and shares the same half of the draw as last year's finalist Alexander Zverev.