Rafael Nadal handed tough draw in Australian Open first round 2014

  • Breaking
  • 10/01/2014

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal got a challenging draw at the Australian Open, with Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro all drawn into his half on Friday.

Nadal faces Australia's Bernard Tomic in the first round, could meet del Potro in the quarterfinals and then has a potential semifinal against either Murray or Federer.

Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic is on the other half with No. 3-ranked David Ferrer.

On the women's side, top-ranked Serena Williams opens against Australian teenager Ashleigh Barty and has 2011 U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur and two-time finalist Li Na in her half.

Two-time defending champion Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova are in the opposite half, meaning they could only meet Serena Williams in the final.

The season's first major starts Monday.

AP

source: newshub archive