Rafael Nadal
Why Was Novak Djokovic Deported From Australia? A Timeline Of The Tennis Star’s Visa Fight Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation left the Australian Open chart available for a list of names who could win the men's draw, giving even much space for first-time winners of the tournament title.

Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are just some of the names that might make it to victory in this year's Australian Open. In spite of these three tennis stars, there are many other contenders for the coveted trophy.

Alexander Zverev

Zverev is one of the most desired players after Djokovic's departure. He made it in his opener, winning 7-6 (3), 6-1, 7-6 (1) over Daniel Altmaier. Zverev only converted on 4 of 18 breakpoints and won just 53% of his second serve points.

Zverev once again crawled to the top after the Wednesday's game with his other competitor, John Millman, who won against the veteran Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. The pressure was intense as Millman previously made his mark against the German native. During the first round of the 2019 French Open, the Australian professional took Zverev to five sets. He also took a set off Zverev at the 2020 Cologne 2 tournament. However, Zverev managed to produce an efficient performance on Wednesday, downing Australian Millman 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the third round in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal

Another tennis superstar who continuously makes noise is Nadal. He is in the Australian Open in his quest for a 21st Grand Slam title. In the first round, the Spaniard won against Marcos Giron in straight, easy sets 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. The 35-year-old advanced to the next round and won against Yannick Hanfmann; Nadal remains on course for a men's record 21st Grand Slam title. This is the second meeting between Nadal and Hanfmann; they previously played in the 2019 tounament at Roland Garros, where Nadal won 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Carlos Alcaraz

The 18-year-old Alcaraz, who left a significant impact after reaching the quarterfinals of the 2021 US Open, is also on the list of the probable title winners for the Australian Open. Alcaraz is one of the most exciting candidates. Some have called him the new Nadal. Spain's Alcaraz took on Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in the second round, and he won the match that lasted an hour and 56 minutes.

Alexander Zverev
Gold medalist Alexander Zverev of Team Germany poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for Tennis Men's Singles on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Tennis Park on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

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