Rafael Nadal “Feeling Strong” Entering Australian Open

Placed in order of the world rankings, 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer is seeded third and Stan Wawrinka fourth, while Rafael Nadal lurks at five.

Defending women’s champion Serena Williams and number five-ranked Maria Sharapova were drawn into the same section of the draw, meaning last year’s finalists could meet in the quarter-finals.

Agnieszka Radwanska (leg) and Petra Kvitova (illness) withdrew from other warmup tournaments and No. 9 Lucie Safarova announced early she wasn’t competing in Australia because of a bacterial infection.

Nadal is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slam singles titles twice.

Brazil striker Neymar will appear before a judge to testify in an investigation into alleged irregularities involving his transfer to Barcelona, Spain’s national court said.

“I played against a player who did everything flawless”, Nadal said. Only two women have won more Grand Slam titles….

The world number one has barely played since the US Open in September, when Roberta Vinci shattered her dream of a calendar-year Grand Slam in a heart-breaking semi-final defeat. “I had an incredible experience in London”, Sharapova says.

Williams described that withdrawal as merely “a hiccup” as she completed her preparations for the season-opening grand slam under Mouratoglou’s gaze at Melbourne Park. Most players in the top 10 have withdrawn from a tournament or retired from a match in the first two weeks of the season. Dimitrov was labelled one of the most talented players of his generation but for some reason or another, whether it be mental or otherwise, he has not come close to fulfilling that potential. He went on to win Wimbledon without playing his best tennis and won every big title afterwards. “I think she’s a player we should be talking about and focusing on right now because she’s the best player out there as of now with all the injuries”, said Chris Evert, who will be commentating in Melbourne for ESPN.

Murray has already lost three times to the Serb in Australian Open finals, including past year, but Gilbert, who coached the Briton for 16 months from 2006, believes the baby factor will be a help not a hindrance.

A tough start for our No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal, who faces Fernando Verdasco in the first round (remember their Australian Open 2009 semifinal epic?) A win over his countryman would provide confidence for potential meetings with Benjamin Becker, Jeremy Chardy, Kevin Anderson and Wawrinka before a possible semifinal against Murray.

Nadal will open with a rematch one of the best matches ever played-at the Australian Open and perhaps anywhere.

The 28-year-old has lost four times in the Australian Open final including last year, where Djokovic defeated him to enjoy his current reign.

When Djokovic stepped to the fore in 2011 he’d won the Davis Cup the previous year which gave him a lot of confidence and I think it can work in a similar way for Andy. Raonic beat Federer in the Brisbane International final last week.

If Murray, who has finished as runner-up on four occasions, makes a repeat run to the final then he could renew his rivalry with Djokovic, and Cowan feels the Scot will still be physically ready for a gruelling closing match. “They would be the two main ones for me”.