Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2024 Australia's Alex de Minaur in action during his first round match against Canada's Milos Raonic REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Local hopes will take centre stage on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open on Wednesday as 10th seed Alex de Minaur takes on Matteo Arnaldi for a place in the third round, while Alexei Popyrin faces world number one Novak Djokovic.
De Minaur, the Australian number one, carries the hopes of his expectant host nation at the tournament and represents their best shot at ending a 47-year wait for the first Australian men's singles champion at Melbourne Park since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
