Sabalenka, Gauff in top half; first-round rematch between Osaka and Garcia at Australian Open 2025
Aryna Sabalenka will start her title defence against Sloane Stephens and Iga Swiatek will take on doubles No 1 Katerina Siniakova in the first round
© Vincent Thian/AP/SIPA
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and world No 3 Coco Gauff will begin their 2025 Australian Open campaign in the main draw’s top half. Also, as it emerged on Thursday (January 9), former world No 1 Naomi Osaka is set for a first-round rematch with France’s Caroline Garcia.
Sabalenka, the top seed, is pitted against 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, whereas second seed Iga Swiatek will start against doubles world No 1 Katerina Siniakova. Gauff is headed for an all-American clash with former Melbourne champion Sofia Kenin.
Osaka has played Garcia three times since returning to the tour in January last year after a maternity hiatus and will be taking on the Frenchwoman again at Melbourne Park this year.
The draw was notably rolled out with Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner bringing out the championship trophies at Margaret Court Arena Steps.
MORE MUST-WATCH FIRST ROUND MATCHES
- Mirra Andreeva (14) vs Marie Bouzkova
- Jelena Ostapenko (16) vs Belinda Bencic
- Jessica Pegula (7) vs Maya Joint
- Elena Rybakina (6) vs Emerson Jones
- Ekaterina Alexandrova (26) vs Emma Raducanu
- Donna Vekic (18) vs Diane Parry
PROJECTED QUARTER-FINALS
- Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Zheng Qinwen (5)
- Coco Gauff (3) vs Jessica Pegula (7)
- Jasmine Paolini (4) vs Elena Rybakina (6)
- Iga Swiatek (2) vs Emma Navarro (8)
GAUFF’S PATH TO THE TROPHY
- First round: Sofia Kenin
- Second round: Jodie Burrage or Qualifier
- Third round: Leylah Fernandez (30) or Cristina Bucsa
- Fourth round: Karolina Muchova (20) or Naomi Osaka
- Quarter-final: Jessica Pegula (7) or Paula Badosa(11)
- Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka (1) or Zheng Qinwen (5)
- Final: Iga Swiatek (2) or Elena Rybakina (6)
SWIATEK’S PATH TO THE TROPHY
- First round: Katerina Siniakova
- Second round: Rebecca Sramkova or Katie Volynets
- Third round: Emma Raducanu or Amanda Anisimova
- Fourth round: Anna Kalinskaya (13) or Victoria Azarenka (21)
- Quarter-final: Emma Navarro (8) or Maria Sakkari (31)
- Semi-final: Elena Rybakina (6) or Danielle Collins (10)
- Final: Aryna Sabalenka (1) or Coco Gauff (3)
SABALENKA’S PATH TO THE TROPHY
- First round: Sloane Stephens
- Second round: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro or Sonay Kartal
- Third round: Linda Noskova (29) or Bernarda Pera (26)
- Fourth round: Mirra Andreeva (14) or Anna Blinkova (24)
- Quarter-final: Zheng Qinwen (5) or Marketa Vondrousova
- Semi-final: Coco Gauff (3) or Jessica Pegula (7)
- Final: Iga Swiatek (2) or Elena Rybakina (6)
Click here for the full draw.
