The 2025 Australian Open draw is out. The tournament kicks off on Sunday, January 12. Once upon a time, there may have been ho-hum first-round matches for top players, but that is not the case anymore.
Here are four must-see first-round matches.
1. Coco Gauff vs. Sofia Kenin
This is an all-American affair featuring the two most recent US women’s Grand Slam champions, and it is a rematch from 2023 Wimbledon. Sofia Kenin got the best of Coco Gauff at the All England Club in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
Gauff played lights-out tennis at the United Cup. She is expected to be in the mix in the latter rounds of this year’s Australian Open and could be hoisting the trophy when all is said and done.
2. Naomi Osaka vs. Caroline Garcia
This is a deja vu matchup from the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. Osaka was fresh on the comeback trail after maternity leave. This was a highly competitive straight-set win for Caroline Garcia, 6-4, 7-6.
New year, same draw 🔥💣@AustralianOpen
This is starting to be a classic @naomiosaka 😂— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) January 9, 2025
Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion who is a better player one year later. This will be a good measuring stick for the Japanese tennis star who has vowed not to stick around the game if she cannot get the results she expects.
3. Aryna Sabalenka vs. Sloane Stephens
American Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, drew the short straw this year. Taking on the two-time defending Australian Open champion who is fresh off a win at Brisbane International and has only lost one match in Australia since 2023 is a tall order.
Aryna Sabalenka is a steamroller on the hardcourts. Stephens needs to have all her shots working and then some to dethrone the defending champion in the first round.
4. Emma Navarro vs. Peyton Stearns
Another all-American match is an Australian Open first-round highlight. Emma Navarro is trying to top a phenomenal 2024 that vaulted her up the rankings into the Top 10, and Peyton Stearns continues to improve her game with new coach Tom Hill (Maria Sakkari’s former coach).
Both former collegiate players want to better their results in Melbourne. Navarro advanced to the third round, and Stearns lost in the first round last year.
ESPN will broadcast live coverage of the 2025 Australian Open. Check your local listings to find out more details.
