Australian Open 2011: Main draw for opening major event announced
The main draw of the year’s opening grand slam, Australian Open 2011 has been announced which gets underway in Melbourne on Monday.
World number one Rafael Nadal, who completed his career Grand Slam by winning the US Open in September 2010, leads the top half of the draw along with fourth ranked Swede Robin Soderling as well as 2010 runner-up Andy Murray.
The 24-year-old Nadal will open his tournament campaign by playing against Brazilian Marcos Daniel who is currently ranked number 96 in the world.
Murray, the top ranked Brit, will face Karol Beck in the first round whereas Soderling will take on Potito Starace of Italy in his tournament opener.
The 16-time grand slam champion Roger Federer, has been placed in the bottom half of the men’s singles along with former winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
Federer has an opening round clash against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia whereas Novak Djokovic- winner of the tournament in 2008- will open his bid against Spaniard Marcel Granollers.
The most exciting opening round match up is between Australian Lleyton Hewitt and former world number three David Nalbandian of Argentina.
Another Argentinean, Juan Martin del Potro, who won the US Open in 2009, will be up against Dudi Sela of Israel in the opening round and could also meet Andy Murray in the fourth.
In the women’s side, world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is the top seed in the absence of defending champion Serena Williams who has withdrawn due to an injury. The Dane will open against Argentinean Gisela Dulko.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova of Russia will start her campaign by playing against Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn whereas American Venus Williams will meet Sara Errani in the first round.
In the bottom half, world number 65 Dinara Safina will meet Belgian Kim Clijsters in her tournament opener.
Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who reached two grand slam finals in 2010, plays Sybille Bammer in the opener.
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