Jannik Sinner will launch his Australian Open title defence under a stubborn doping cloud but the whiff of scandal may do little to halt the Italian juggernaut. Sinner remains the man to beat at Melbourne Park even as doping officials seek a two-year ban for the world number one for failing two drugs tests last March.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season’s first major, ruling out a replay of last year’s semifinal encounter.

Former tennis star Alex Corretja expects Andy Murray to continue working with Novak Djokovic beyond this year’s Australian Open. The shock agreement is only due to last until the end of the tournament, with the two icons having been seen together on the practice courts at Melbourne Park this week.