Andy Murray drawn to face Alexander Zverev in Australian Open

No. 2 Andy Murray, who has lost four Australian Open finals including the 2015 edition, is on the bottom half of the draw with Nadal and Warwinka. That did not appear to deter Jordan, who dropped only one set en route the finals, where she beat compatriot Sharon Walsh, who was seeded 4 ahead of her, in straight sets.

The defending champion will start as raging favourite for a sixth title at the year’s first grand slam, continuing the domination of men’s tennis that saw the Serb win 11 titles last year and three of the four majors. She won silver for Russian Federation at the London Olympics in 2012, and despite losing badly to Serena Williams in the final, 6-0, 6-1, she has fond memories.

Had to pull out of the Hopman Cup in Perth due to left knee soreness to start the season, but has practiced in Melbourne and organizers say she is fit.

The dogged David Ferrer has reached the Australian Open quarterfinals in four of the last five years, but he’s working out the kinks playing with a Babolat Pure Drive racquet after spending most of his career wielding an extended Prince frame.

World number two Simona Halep (achilles), Garbine Muguruza (foot), Agnieszka Radwanska (leg) and Maria Sharapova (forearm) have all been battling niggling problems that forced them out of warm-up tournaments.

While much was made of Serena Williams’ near miss of the Grand Slam, Djokovic was only one defeat from a ideal Grand Slam season, too. “I know nobody playing tennis like this ever”, said the 14-time Grand Slam-winner.

“For an athlete, when you have good balance in your home life I feel like that should even make you better at whatever you do”.

Wawrinka is the Swiss who defeated Djokovic in the French Open finals in Roland Garros a year ago, according to an article fromAustralian Open itself. “I think it’s going to be a long match”.

At last year’s US Open, Azarenka added a new word to the tennis lexicon – “pinish”, a combination of “punish” and “finish”.

“We spoke about it and chatted and obviously it’d be disappointing if I was to get in that position and not be able to play the final”.

Andy Murray better have his famous return at the ready.

If Djokovic 1.0 was built on formidable defence, 2.0 looks like combining that already-winning trait with devastating attack.

If an Aussie wins it, who will it be?

In his 20th consecutive and final Australian Open appearance, Hewitt will take on fellow Australian James Duckworth. The world No 1 is scheduled to face Federer in the last four.

Mats Wilander won the title thrice in Melbourne and he is certainly one of the most famous and important champions in this tournament!

If Tomas Berdych has ambitions of making another deep run in Melbourne, last year’s semifinalist may have to go through Nick Kyrgios.

“The last thing you want to do is play Djokovic in a semi and then have to play Federer in a final”.