Australian Open Men’s Draw: Djokovic With Federer, Nadal Seeks 20th Slam
The Australian Open was released a few hours ago in Melbourne and it pits Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the semifinals. That’s 13 Australian Open titles between them, with World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the top half where he’ll be slated to run into Daniil Medvedev in his semifinals.
Nadal is chasing Roger Federer’s record 20 Grand Slam titles and stands just one away from equaling the Swiss. But Rafa has only won the Australian Open once before failing all four times the last decade following his 2009 triumph.
Nadal is also seeking to become the first player in the Open Era to win the Career Slam twice.
Nadal’s draw sees him through Hugo Dellien to start, potentially Pablo Carreno Busta in the third, Nick Kyrgios or Karen Khachanov in the fourth and Dominic Thiem or Gael Monfils in the quarter. In his second, Nadal is the only player to have won a Slam. Kevin Anderson in the only other former Slam finalist.
Medvedev returns to Australia after pushing Djokovic a year ago. But the Russian won’t deal with Djokovic until the final, though could have to beat Nadal then Novak for his first Slam. Before then, Medvedev opens with the men’s match of the first round as he battles 2019 quarterfinalist Frances Tiafoe. He also could run into former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and then 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka in the fourth. The quarters could pit him against David Goffin or Alexander Zverev who are the top players in a weak section. Potentially, Andrey Rublev could emerge.
Federer gets the third seed and could deal with youngsters Hubert Hurkacz and then Denis Shapovalov in the third and fourth rounds. US Open breakout man Matteo Berrettini could be a quarterfinal opponent as the Italian is favored in an open section.
Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the favorites in the last quarter. Djokovic was dealt one of the tougher openers against Jan-Lennard Struff. Otherwise, the Serb should breeze. Tstsipas will have to deal with Philipp Kohlschrieber, maybe Milos Raonic and then in the fourth an in-form Roberto Bautista Agut.
Federer, Djokovic and the rest of the bottom half will begin play on Monday. Nadal and Medvedev start their campaigns on Tuesday in Melbourne.
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