Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis are amongst eight Australians scheduled to compete on day three at Roland Garros 2024.
Paris, France, 28 Could 2024 | Leigh Rogers
An all-Australian showdown between Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis is a must-see match on the day three schedule at Roland Garros 2024.
It’s only the second time previously 22 years that two Australian males have met in a first-round singles match in Paris.
The 24-year-old Popyrin enters this conflict because the top-ranked participant at world No.51. Nonetheless, the Roland Garros 2017 boys’ singles champion can be trying to rating his career-first win in opposition to his Davis Cup team-mate and occasional doubles associate.
Kokkinakis has received each of their earlier skilled conferences, which have been on onerous courts in 2023.
“He’s certainly one of my higher mates on tour,” world No.100 Kokkinakis mentioned. “We practise rather a lot collectively. It’s difficult, however it must be a enjoyable one.”
Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur additionally begins his marketing campaign on day three, dealing with rising American Alex Michelsen in a difficult first-round project.
Michelsen, a 22-year-old ranked No.60, upset De Minaur at Los Cabos earlier this season.
“It must be a troublesome battle,” De Minaur instructed AAP. “Hopefully I can get my revenge.”
An excited Rinky Hijikata will make his main-draw singles debut at Roland Garros in opposition to world No.40 Luciano Darderi.
The 20-year-old Italian has amassed 25 wins on clay already this season, which incorporates seven in opposition to top-50 opponents. Nonetheless, world No.78 Hijikata isn’t intimidated by his opponent’s type.
“What I’ve already discovered is that something can occur on clay. My profession up thus far has been stuffed with surprises, so that you by no means know,” mentioned the 23-year-old Australian.
“The very best-of-five format helps me, I really feel like I’ve performed a few of my greatest tennis in Grand Slams.”
Aussie wildcard Adam Walton can be set to make his Roland Garros debut, assembly French hope Arthur Rinderknech.
Roland Garros is broadcast dwell in Australia on the 9 Community and Stan Sport, with protection starting at 6.30pm AEST.
Aussies in motion on day three:
Males’s singles, first spherical
[11] Alex de Minaur (AUS)Â v Alex Michelsen (USA), Courtroom Simmone-Mathieu, first match (from 7pm AEST)
[WC] Adam Walton (AUS) v Arthur Rinderknech (FRA), Courtroom 6, first match (from 7pm AEST)
Rinky Hijikata (AUS)Â v Luciano Darderi (ITA), Courtroom 5, second match
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS), Courtroom 8, second match
Males’s doubles, first spherical
John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Denys Molchanov (UKR) v Petros Tsitsipas (GRE)/Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE), Courtroom 12, second match
[2] Matt Ebden (AUS)/Rohan Bopanna (IND) v Marton Fuscovics (HUN)/Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN), Courtroom 8, third match
John Friends (AUS)/Roman Safiullin v Yuki Bhambri (IND)/Albano Olivetti (FRA), Courtroom 2, fourth match (not earlier than 11pm AEST)
> VIEW: Roland Garros day three schedule
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