Andy Murray will face a rocky start to his Australian Open campaign against Matteo Berrettini as Novak Djokovic returns on Tuesday.
Murray, a five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park, will face Italy’s 13th seed and last year’s semi-finalist Berrettini at Rod Laver Arena.
Nine-time Serbian champion Djokovic returns a year after his controversial expulsion saw him miss the Grand Slam.
Women’s second seed Ons Jabeur also features in the night session.
Elsewhere, Great Britain Dan Evans takes on Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis as he attempts to join fellow countrymen Cameron Norrie and Emma Raducanu in the second round.
Former world number one Murray, 35, is currently ranked 66th and his unseeded status leaves him vulnerable to tough draws at the majors, as evidenced by his tough opener against 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini.
But the three-time major winner says he feels healthy and has “no time limit” on retirement – four years after fearing the 2019 tournament would be the last of his career.
Djokovic, unable to take part in last year’s event due to his Covid-19 vaccination status, said the reception he received on his return to the Australian Open during a practice match with Nick Kyrgios last week had made him “emotional”.
The 35-year-old Serbian begins his bid for a record 10th men’s title against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, after clinching his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July.
Ahead of Djokovic’s match, Jabeur – runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last year – takes on Slovenian Tamara Zidansek at Rod Laver Arena from 08:00 GMT.
Still in the women’s draw, fourth French seed Caroline Garcia plays Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov and Belarusian fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka faces the Czech Tereza Martincova.
Meanwhile, the men’s second seed Casper Ruud from Norway starts against Czech player Tomas Machac, while other top 10 players Andrei Rublev, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune are also in action and Alexander Zverev is making a comeback following an injury.
