The Spanish Rafael Nadal, world number 2, should have an easy path to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, which begins on Monday, according to the draw carried out this Friday, which has left a more complicated picture for Novak Djokovic (1st ATP) .
The Serbian will make his debut against Frenchman Jérémy Chardy (66th) and in the round of 16 he would meet Swiss Stan Wawrinka (18th) or Canadian Milos Raonic (15th). In the quarterfinals, the German Alexander Zverev (7th) could wait for him and in the semifinals the Austrian Dominic Thiem (3rd), whom he beat in the final last year.
At the bottom of the table Nadal, who seeks to break the record for Grand Slam titles – he is tied at 20 with Roger Federer – will not find a member of the Top 20 until the quarterfinals, where Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th) would wait for him. . In the semifinals his rival would be the Russian Daniil Medvedev (4th).
The No. 2 hasn’t competed since November, after missing the first two ATP Cup games this week. Spain has qualified for the semifinals, so it could make its debut in the tournament.
At the Australian Open, he will open fire against Serbian Laslo Djere (56th).
Among the favorites of the women’s team, the defending champion, the American Sofia Kenin (4th) will make her quiet debut against the Australian Maddison Inglis (130th, guest).
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (5th) and world number 1 Ashleigh Barty should be found in the quarterfinals in the semifinals.
The latter will make her debut against Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (175th).
The No. 2 Simona Halep will face the local Lizette Cabrera (140º), coming from the classification. In the quarterfinals he could meet legend Serena Williams (11th), who is seeking her 24th major title to equal Margaret Court’s record.
As for the Japanese Naomi Osaka (3rd), winner in Melbourne in 2019 and winner of the last US Open, she will debut against the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (39th).
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