LIVE: How Alcaraz’s withdrawal blows open AO draw

With world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz announcing his withdrawn from the Australian Open on Saturday morning, several top-ranked players’ title hopes just received a massive boost.

As a result of Alcaraz’s removal, nine-time champion Novak Djokovic will advance from the draw’s fifth seed to fourth.

Fortunately for Djokovic, the jump into the top-four will ensure he won’t face another top-seeded player until at least the semi finals – strengthening his title run.

The rise will also help Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas as Djokovic will not feature in their quarter.

In the shuffle, defending champion Nadal will become the Slam’s new top seed while world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas coul score a top-two seeding following the conclusion of the United Cup.

Tsitsipas is scheduled to play Matteo Berrettini on Saturday as part of Greece’s tie with Italy.

A victory over the Italian would cause Tsitsipas to leapfrog world No. 3 Ruud when the revised ATP rankings are released ahead of the AO draw announcement.

American Taylor Fritz will also become the eighth seed, growing his chances of progressing to the quarter finals amoungst the from runners.

Ensuing the outcome of the AO, Ruud, Tsitsipas and Djokovic all have a chance to replace Alcaraz as the men’s world No. 1.