MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal faces Brazilian world number 96 Marcos Daniel in his first round of the Australian Open but faces a rocky path in his bid to become the first man to hold all four grand slam crowns simultaneously in more than four decades.
The Spaniard faces a potential tricky match with either 32nd-ranked countryman Feliciano Lopez or big-serving American John Isner in the third round, followed by a possible fourth round match with last year’s semi-finalist Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Defending champion Roger Federer, bidding to take a record fifth Australian Open title, has a more favourable path, playing Lukas Lacko of Slovakia in the first round, with 12th-ranked Gael Monfils of France a possible fourth-round encounter.
In the women’s draw, with Serena Williams injured, top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark has a good chance of winning her maiden grand slam and will play 48th-ranked Gisela Dulko of Argentina in the first round.
Belgian third seed Kim Clijsters faces a danger match against former world number one Dinara Safina of Russia in her opening round, on the way to a potential fourth round clash against another former top-ranked player in Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic.
The final draw will be released after qualifying wraps up this weekend.
The Australian Open starts on Monday.
