Australian Open 2025 Draw: Carlos Alcaraz's projected path to final ft. potential Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev clashes

Carlos Alcaraz's projected path to the final of the 2025 Australian Open took shape after the draw was released on Thursday, January 9. The Spaniard suffered a quarterfinal exit last time around, losing to Alexander Zverev, and will be keen to go all the way and win the only missing Grand Slam in his trophy cabinet.

Alcaraz is yet to commence his campaign in 2025. He last played at the ATP Finals where he suffered a group-stage exit.

The Grand Slam Down Under presents Alcaraz with a major opportunity to bounce back and kickstart the new season on a bright note. Here's a look at the potential opponents he will have to defeat to reach the final.

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Carlos Alcaraz's R1 opponent - Alexander Shevchenko

Third-seed Alcaraz will commence his campaign Down Under with a first-round clash against Alexander Shevchenko, who is also yet to play a competitive match in 2025. The Spaniard leads the head-to-head 1-0, winning their only meeting in the 2024 Madrid Open second round.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential R2 opponent - Yoshihito Nishioka

Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session ahead of the 2025 Australian Open (Source: Getty)

Yoshihito Nishioka has played at the Brisbane International and Adelaide International so far this season. He suffered a second-round defeat in Brisbane before falling to Thanasi Kokkinakis in his opener in Adelaide. His first-round opponent in Melbourne is yet to be decided.

Alcaraz's potential second-round clash will mark his second against the Japanese International on the tour. The Spaniard secured a win in their previous meeting in the 2022 Paris Masters second round.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential R3 opponent - Jordan Thompson/Nuno Borges

Jordan Thompson might well be Alcaraz's first seeded opponent at the Melbourne Major. The Australian most recently suffered a quarterfinal exit at the Brisbane International. He lost to Alcaraz in their only meeting at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters.

Nuno Borges is another potential rival for Alcaraz if he reaches the third round. The Portuguese international has been on the rise in recent times. However, he is also winless against the Spaniard. Alcaraz leads 1-0 in the head-to-head, having won their second-round encounter at the 2023 Barcelona Open.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential R4 opponent - Jack Draper/Sebastian Korda

Jack Draper will play for the first time since his third-round exit at the 2024 Paris Masters. The Brit is the highest-seeded player Alcaraz could compete against in the Australian Open fourth round. His head-to-head record against the Spaniard stands at 1-2.

Sebastian Korda is currently competing at the Adelaide International. The American has only won one of his previous five meetings with Alcaraz. He is winless against the Spaniard on hardcourts.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential QF opponent - Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic will have to beat potential opponents including Reilly Opelka and Grigor Dimitrov to reach the quarterfinals of the Melbourne Major. The Serb suffered a quarterfinal exit in his most recent campaign at the Brisbane International.

Although his recent form has been a point of concern, Djokovic is known to deliver when it matters. He holds a 4-3 head-to-head record against Alcaraz, with the Serb winning their two meetings on hardcourts.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential SF opponent - Alexander Zverev/Casper Ruud

Second seed Alexander Zverev is the highest-ranked opponent Alcaraz could face in the semifinals. The potential clash will mark their twelfth meeting on the tour. Zverev leads the head-to-head 6-5 and won their last encounter at the 2024 ATP Finals. Across hardcourts, the German won on five out of seven occasions.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz would have a comparatively easier task at hand if Casper Ruud reaches the last four. He holds a healthy 4-1 lead against the Norwegian. The previous results in hardcourts also favor Alcaraz, who won three out of four matches.

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Carlos Alcaraz's potential Final opponent - Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner (L) and Alcaraz at the 2024 Six Kings Slam (Source: Getty)

Defending champion Jannik Sinner could meet Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final as both players are placed on opposite sides of the draw. The World No. 1 will face Nicolas Jarry in his opener.

Sinner has been in tremendous form recently, winning titles in his last two competitions. However, the Italian does not have a positive head-to-head record against Alcaraz, who has won six of their previous ten meetings. Across hardcourts, Alcaraz has won five in seven matches.

Taylor Fritz is another potential candidate to reach the final from the other side of the draw. He reached the quarterfinals last time around. Other possible finalists include Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev.