Men’s Australian Open Draw
After a quick review of the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly poised for success. The current world number two and four-time Australian Open champion sits at the bottom half of the bracket almost inconspicuously, and with a relatively clear path to his fourth consecutive championships.
While there are no guarantees in tennis, Novak couldn’t have scored a better draw. Leading up to the round of 16, his biggest challenge will likely be 15th seed, Italian Fabio Fognini. However, with a foot injury leading up to the Australian Open, Fognini will have his hands full if he does indeed end up facing Djokovic.
Outside of that, Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka who’s seeded eighth in the tournament, is arguably Djokovic’s biggest threat on the way to the championship match. Although, with a 15-2 record against Wawrinka, we’re inclined to give Djokovic the edge.
With the remaining three of the big four, Nadal, Federer and Murray all sitting in the top half, things are likely to get much more interesting.
Nadal has some exciting matches on his road to the finals, including local Bernard Tomic in the first round as well as the acrobatic Gael Monfils, who he could likely meet in the third round. However, Nadal’s most challenging opponent en route to the finals would likely be 5th seed Del Potro, who he’d meet in the quarters.
Roger Federer’s biggest early challenge would likely be tenth seed Fernando Verdasco in the third round. However, things would get more challenging in the round of 16 with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and then finally Andy Murray in the quarters if he makes it that far.
Coming off his recent back surgery, Murray, the fourth seed, faces some challenges, including a possible matchup with the big-serving 13th seed John Isner in the round of 16, and then as aforementioned, Federer in the quarters.
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