Australian Open 2021 - The first Grand Slam of the year
The tennis season has officially started. With the first Grand Slam tournament of the year just days away the wait is finally over. All eyes are falling on Australia as the 109th edition of the Australian Open is about to start, and with Sumit Nagal handed a wild card entry into the main draw we all have hopes for Indian success, something we haven’t been spoilt with in previous years. Follow the Australian Open and Sumit Nagal’s performances live on Sony Six or the SonyLIV app. For starting times, tournament schedule and broadcast information please find the Australian Open TV-schedule here.
Australian Open 2021
When? 8th February – 25th February
Where? Melbourne Park
Representation of India – Sumit Nagal, Men’s singles Main Draw
TV/Stream? The Australian Open 2021 will be shown on Sony Six and the SonyLIV app
Current Champions – Novak Djokovic (Men's singles) / Sofia Kenin (Women's singles)
India’s participation in the Australian Open 2021
Four single players representing India entered the Australian Open qualifiers back in January. Unfortunately, none of them managed to go all the way and qualify for the main draw. Ankita Raina came close before she lost against Olga Danilovic from Serbia in the third and final round.
This means Sumit Nagal will be the sole Indian single player to participate in this year’s Australian Open. Nagal is 23 old and currently ranked as the second best Indian single player. His breakthrough came two years ago as he managed to qualify for the US Open main draw, in which he faced the five time US Open champion Roger Federer.
One year after it was time for Nagal to once again enter the US Open main draw. This time against Bradley Klahn, a game he managed to win by 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. In the next round he was drawn against Dominic Thiem who would go on and win the whole tournament.
Sumit Nagal has never reached further than the first qualification round in the Australian Open. How far he can go this year depends on the draw which will take place on February 5th.
Where can I watch the Australian Open on TV & stream?
The Australian Open 2021 will begin on the 8th of February with the first round for men and women. The single’s tournament will be played every day until the finals on the 24th of February (Women) and the 25th of February (Men).
For everyone who wish to follow the Australian Open 2021 live on TV or stream it’s Sony Six or the SonyLIV app that’re broadcasting the event in India. If you wish to find dates, starting times and information on today’s games check out the Australian Open TV-schedule here at Tvsports.in.
Who’re the favorites to win the Australian Open 2021?
It’s a strong line up for this year’s Australian Open with the majority of the top ranked players attending the Grand Slam tournament. On the men’s side both Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem will participate with Roger Federer being the only absent of the best ranked players.
Same goes for the women where we will be able to see all of the 15 best ranked players in this year’s Australian Open. Naomi Osaka, currently 2nd ranked, is the odds favorite to win the tournament, followed by Ashleigh Barty, Australia, and Serena Williams, USA. Ashleigh Bartly has never won Australian Open but came close last year as she reached the semifinals. Expect some scenes if she manages to go all the way this year and win the Grand Slam at home ground.
Leander Paes – Possible return for the French Open
Leander Paes was looking to make his last career appearance at the Tokyo Olympics which were supposed to take place during the summer of 2020. Due to the ongoing pandemic the Olympics were postponed and will instead be held in 2021. Something that has got Paes to rethink and make new plans in order to be able to participate in one last Olympics.
In a recent interview with the 47-year-old tennis legend he admitted that the Tokyo Olympics-participation has always been his goal and that he's now aiming towards one last career appearance. If he decides to play in the summer Olympics it will be the eight consecutive Olympics representing India, two more than any other player has managed.
Further, Leander Paes talked about his plans on the French Open and opened up on a possible return to the tournament if the ongoing situation with the pandemic changes to the better.
Author: Ramesh Singh