Alex de Minaur has obtained an enormous enhance heading into the Australian Open, along with his first-round opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrawing and fortunate loser Mackenzie McDonald taking his place.
Berrettini, a former world No. 6, withdrew from an exhibition match at Melbourne Park early as a result of sickness.
The previous Wimbledon finalist performed in only one match in opposition to Norway’s Nikolai Budkov Kjaer at Purple Bull Baseline on Friday night time and retired from different matches at promotional occasions.
Berrettini’s withdrawal from the 12 months’s first Grand Slam event was introduced the following day on the Australian Open’s social media platforms, however there was no clear indication of the Italian’s well being standing.
“It is actually unlucky that I’ve to withdraw from the event,” Berrettini stated.
“I all the time take pleasure in being right here, taking part in and feeling everybody’s nice assist.
“Thanks to the event for an awesome run and we look ahead to seeing you once more quickly.”
Berrettini was initially scheduled to play world No. 6 De Minaur of Australia within the first spherical of the British Open on Monday, however Berrettini’s sickness is the most recent health bother after an injury-plagued 2025 season.
Berrettini misplaced within the second spherical ultimately 12 months’s Australian Open and was pressured to withdraw from the Italian Open as a result of an indirect muscle harm.
Berrettini, ranked 56th on the earth, later withdrew from the French Open and the US Open after the identical drawback recurred.
The 30-year-old has missed seven Grand Slams within the final 4 years however was in a position to return in time to play a central function in Italy’s Davis Cup victory in November.
This will probably be a giant enhance for de Minaur, who was behind Berrettini with three wins and two losses.
The Sydneysiders will now face McDonald’s, who have been the fortunate losers within the qualifiers.
De Minaur has confronted McDonald twice and gained each instances, the final time being in Rotterdam in 2022.
Berrettini was the primary opponent in a nightmare draw for de Minaur, who enters his dwelling Grand Slam as the best seed in historical past.
Argentina’s world No. 74 Mariano Navone or Serbia’s World No. 96 Hamad Medjedović will probably be ready for de Minaur after the primary spherical.
His probably opponent within the third spherical will probably be Twenty ninth-seeded American Francis Tiafoe, who might face Grand Slam archrival Alexander Bublik in a penalty shootout within the final 16, and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals.
