If Nadal, last year’s runner-up, wins his second Australian Open trophy (the other came in 2009), he would match Federer’s men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Tennis’ great guessing game right now is when those things will happen — and who’ll be the first of the kids to win a Grand Slam title. Medvedev pushed Nadal to five sets in last year’s U.S. Open final; Khachanov was a 2019 French Open quarterfinalist; Rublev’s trophies this month at Doha and Adelaide made him the first man since 2004 with two tour-level titles before the Australian Open. ADOSAKA’S DEFENSENaomi Osaka’s first Grand Slam title defense ended with a fourth-round loss at the U.S. Open. “I’m sure once the last ball is hit,” she said, “it’s going to be a bit emotional.”YOU SAY HELLO, I SAY GOODBYEThe Australian Open doubles competition will see some notable comings and goings.

Source: Washington Post January 19, 2020 06:56 UTC