No 6 seed to face former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini
Maya Joint paired with highly-touted 18-year-old Tereza Valentova
Local hopes of ending a half century-long drought in the Australian Open have been tested after No 6 seed Alex de Minaur was handed a nightmare draw for the first grand slam of the year beginning on Sunday.
In the first round at Melbourne Park the Australian faces former world No 6 Matteo Berrettini, who helped Italy win a third successive Davis Cup in the final in November.
Another former top 10 player, 29th seed Frances Tiafoe, is a potential third-round opponent, while the 10th seed Alexander Bublik looms in round four entering the tournament in career-best form.
