AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS DRAW REVEALED: NOVAK DJOKOVIC & ROGER FEDERER IN SAME HALF – RICKY DIMON LOOKS AT THE DRAW

Written by: Staff on 14th January 2016

AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS DRAW REVEALED: NOVAK DJOKOVIC & ROGER FEDERER IN SAME HALF - RICKY DIMON LOOKS AT THE DRAW

epa05102670 Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a shot during a joint practice session with Fernando Verdasco of Spain ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 15 January 2016. EPA/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The Australian Open draw ceremony was conducted on Friday afternoon in Melbourne. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are in the top half, while Rafael Nadal is in the same quarter as Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic faces teenage sensation Hyeon Chung of Korea in the first round but should ultimately coast into the second week. The five-set champion of this event is on course for a fourth-round showdown with Ivo Karlovic and a possible quarterfinal date with either Kei Nishikori or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

An interesting first-rounder in the top section pits Gilles Simon against Vasek Pospisil. Nishikori is kicking off his campaign against Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Tsonga will have Marcos Baghdatis on the other side of the net right off the bat.

Prior to a highly-anticipated semifinal clash against Djokovic, Federer would have to navigate a difficult path. The 34-year-old Swiss could run into Alexandr Dolgopolov in round two, Grigor Dimitrov in the last 32, and either Dominic Thiem or David Goffin for a spot in the quarters. Also in the second section of the draw are Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, and Nick Kyrgios.

Federer’s particularly difficult quarter also features an opening showdown between Dolgopolov and Ricardas Berankis. Thiem has to face Leonardo Mayer in round one, while Cilic vs. Borna Coric is a potential second-rounder.

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves the ball during a practice session of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 15 January 2016. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs from 18 January until 31 Januray 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

Nadal will open with a rematch one of the best matches ever played–at the Australian Open and perhaps anywhere. The Spaniard is set to face countryman Fernando Verdasco, whom he outlasted in an epic 2009 five-set semifinal en route to his first Australian Open title. Nadal could face Jeremy Chardy in the third round and either Kevin Anderson or Gael Monfils in the last 16.

Wawrinka may have a tough time setting up a potential quarterfinal collision with Nadal. The Swiss could run into Jack Sock in the third round and Milos Raonic in the last 16.

Andy Murray is expected to advance from an intriguing final quarter of the bracket, but it is far from a guarantee. Entertainment in this section should be in store for the Melbourne faithful from start to finish. Murray could be challenged by the likes of David Ferrer, John Isner, and Bernard Tomic. Contesting the last tournament of his career, Lleyton Hewitt will begin his quest against fellow Aussie James Duckworth.

This is the last tournament of Hewitt’s career. If the veteran can get past Duckworth, he would almost certainly be in store for a battle against Ferrer.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

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British player Andy Murray serves during a practice session with Spanish player Rafael Nadal ahead of the Australian Open Tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 15 January 2016. EPA/JULIAN SMITH

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Bernard Tomic, Gilles Simon, Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Vasek Pospisil, Wta