Australian Open men’s draw: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray in same half

Australian Open
Roger Federer with Australian Open trophy

Roger Federer could meet the likes of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray on the way to the Australian Open final while world No 1 Novak Djokovic has Alexander Zverev in his path.

Six-time champion Federer will start the defence of his title against Denis Istomin while world No 2 Nadal will kick off his campaign against James Duckworth from Australia and they could meet in the semi-finals.

Federer is likely to face last year’s runner-up Marin Cilic in the quarter-final while Nadal has a possible meeting with Kevin Anderson in the last eight.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray is also in Federer’s quarter and the Scot faces a tricky opening match against Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat Djokovic en route to winning the Qatar Open last week.

British No 1 Kyle Edmund, a semi-finalist last year, has also been given a difficult first-round encounter as he will face Tomas Berdych, who has just returned to action following several months on the sidelines with injury.

Cameron Norrie, meanwhile, will take on American Taylor Fritz.

World No 1 Djokovic, who is also gunning for a sixth title at Melbourne Park, will start his campaign against a qualifier while former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could be a second-round opponent.

ATP Finals winner Zverev faces Aljaz Bedene first up while Dominic Thiem is a possible quarter-final opponent.

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