Melbourne : Defending champion and World Number 1 Novak Djokovic has been drawn in the same half with Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori,Tomas Berdych and Nick Kyrgios . The Serb’s potential quarter final opponent will be No 7 seed Nishikori . Novak will face Korean teenager Hyeon Chung in the first round of the Australian Open 2016 .
Second seed and four-time finalist Andy Murray is pitted against 18 year old German Alexander Zverev . Murray faced the same opponent in Hopman Cup showdown earlier this month. Murray’s potential second round opponent could be Sam Groth should the Australian beat France’s Adrian Mannarino.
Third-seeded Roger Federer starts his Australian Open campaign against Georgian world No.117 Nikoloz Basilashvili .
Rafael Nadal takes on compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the first round, a rematch of their epic 2009 semifinal that lasted five hours, 14 minutes before Nadal went on to lift the title.
Fourth seed and 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka’s could go head to head against Milos Raonic in the fourth round .
Bernard Tomic is projected to meet Murray at the same stage of the competition. Last year’s quarterfinalist Nick Kyrgios has landed in Federer’s quarter of the draw and is slated to meet No.6 seed and 2015 semifinalist Tomas Berdych in the third round.
Meanwhile in the women’s draw , defending champion Serena Williams faces a tough start to the tournament. Serena meets World No. 35 Camila Giorgi in round one and has potential meetings with Caroline Wozniacki (round four) and Maria Sharapova (quarters) on her schedule.