'SINCARAZ' SET TO RULE AGAIN

All eyes on dominant duo ahead of Aussie Open, while Sabalenka relishes hat-trick bid

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Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and the umpire during a break because of a medical incident in the stands at the ATP Finals in Turin on Nov 16. The match was won in the final 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 for his sixth title of the year.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

The new tennis season gets under way on Jan 2 with the mixed-team United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by women’s world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and men’s world No. 3 Alexander Zverev.

Top-ranked Sabalenka, who is pursuing a third Melbourne Park trophy, starts at the Brisbane International from Jan 4 to 11 in a stellar field also boasting Australian Open champion Madison Keys and fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova.

Alcaraz and Sinner, or “Sincaraz” as they have been dubbed, play an exhibition in South Korea on Jan 10 in their only warmup before the Australian Open eight days later.

While Spanish sensation Alcaraz bumped his Italian rival from the season-ending world No. 1 spot, Sinner had the last laugh by beating him to retain his ATP Finals title in Turin.