Mens
Rafael Nadal faces a extremely intriguing first round match
against Aussie favourite Bernard Tomic. World 57 Tomic has
started this season well by reaching the final In Sydney this week to
defend his title, whilst Nadal won in Qatar last week. The two have
meet one before (Australian Open 2011) in which Nadal won in straight
sets however I think this match could without a doubt be somewhat
closer. In his draw Nadal could potentially face Gael Monfils in
the third round and Nishikori or
Hewitt in the fourth round.
Novak Djokovic opens up against Lukáš
Lacko in what should be a straight forward
match for the 2nd
seed. The last time these played each other was at the European Summer
Boys cup in 2004 (just a little while ago then). Potential opponent's
in the early stages include Albert
Montanes, Dmitry Tursunov and
Fabio Fognini. In the quarter final he
could face last years US Open semi Finalist Stanislas
Wawrinka.
David Ferrer begins
against Venezuela's Alejandro González.
In a relatively kind draw for the Spanish number 2 he could
potentially face Adrian Mannarino
in R2, in form Alexander Dolgopolov
in R3 and Mikhail Youzhny
in the last 16. The quarter final opponent that could await Ferrer is
7th seed
Thomas Berdych.
Andy Murray (4th
seed) meanwhile faces Japans Go Soeda
in their first meet. Soeda is currently ranked 112 however his season
didn't begin two well after he failed to quality for the main draw in
Chennai. If Murray who is still trying to regain his full form wins
his first round encounter he potentially faces a qualifier in round 2
(currently unknown), Feliciano Lopez
in R3 and the big serving John Isner
in R4. There is a potential mouth watering quarter final awaiting
Murray in the form of Rodger Federer.
Federer opens up against wild card James
Duckworth. In the same half as Tsonga
Federer could face Radek Štěpánek in
R2, Fernando Verdasco
in R3 before Tsonga
in R4 (if all goes well).
Women's
As for the women top seed and favourite for the title Serena
Williams begins against wild-card Ashlieigh Barty. Barty
who is a strong doubles player (reaching three Grand Slam doubles
finals in 2013) played well in last weeks Brisbane International by
qualifying as well as a first round win but unfortunately withdrew
from her match against Maria Sharapova due to a small tear in her
left adductor. Williams could then face in her half Dolonc or
Arruabarrena (can't
decide who will win that match), Daniela
Hantuchová in R3 then Ana
Ivanovic in R4. In the quarters awaiting
her could be Italian 7th
seed Sara Errani.
This should be a straight forward first four round for Williams
(famous last words!).
Second seed Victoria
Azarenka opens up against Sweden's Johanna
Larsson. The pair has met once before (US
Open 2011) in which Azarenka produced a comprehensive 61 63 win.
Future oponants include Barbora
Záhlavová-Strýcová in R2, Jamie
Hampton in R3 and Solone
Stephens or
Svetlana Kuznetsova in R4. In the quarters
she could face 5th
seed Agnieszka Radwańska however
the Polish tennis star is currently strugulling with an shoulder
injury.
Maria Sharapova begins
with a good test for her against Bethanie
Mattek-Sands. Mattek-Sands beat Agnieszka
Radwanska earlier on this week in Sydney.
Sharapova however does have a comanding 5-0 head to head lead over
the American. In her half she could be up against Karin
Knapp in R2,
Alize Cornet in R3 and the very talented
Carla Suárez Navarro in R4. Quarter
finals oponants could be Jelena Janković
or 2013 WTA newcomber of the year Simona
Halep.
Li Na begins her match
against a yet to be decided qualifier. Further a field she could face
the oldest women on the tour at 42 Kimiko
Date-Krumm (former Wimbledon Semi Finalist
in 1996) in R2, Lucie Šafářová
in R3 and Sabine Lisicki
in R4. In the last eight she could be on course to meet the mighty
Petra Kvitová.
Finally for the British Fans Laura
Robson who is currently carrying a injury
faces a hard match against Kirsten
Flipkens.
full draw can be viewed on - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ws/index.html
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