World No.1 Novak Djokovic has been handed an interesting first round draw against South Korea’s rising star Hyeon Chung.
Djokovic is in top form after producing a comprehensive straight sets win over Rafael Nadal to win the Doha Open last week. The first round match will be a good test for the top seed against Chung, who was voted ‘most improved player’ at last year’s ATP awards. Lurking in Djokovic section includes potential future clashes with Ivan Dodig followed by Andreas Seppi. Seppi produced one his best career wins at the tournament last year where he defeated Roger Federer in the third round. Despite Seppi’s spectacular achievement last year, Djokovic is expected to ease past the Italian after winning all 12 of their previous encounters. In the fourth round Djokovic could play France’s Gilles Simon.
Andy Murray will also play a teenager in his first match, Alexander Zverev. The 18-year-old enters the Grand Slam with an injury concern after withdrawing from this week’s Kooyong Classic due to a shoulder injury. Murray could then face an interesting second round test against either Adrian Mannarino or Sam Groth. Last year at the US Open Murray was taken to five sets by Mannarino. If he plays Groth, the world No.2 will have to contend with some blistering serving from the home player. Further on in his draw, Murray is projected to play Portugal’s Joao Sousa in round three followed by either Fabio Fognini or Bernard Tomic.
18-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer opens up against world No.117 Nikoloz Basilashvili in what will be their first meeting on the tour. Next up could be world No.36 Alexandr Dolgopolov, who Federer has beaten twice before. In his draw, Federer could play either David Goffin or Dominic Thiem in the fourth round. Britain’s Kyle Edmund is also in Federer’s section and could create a duo of shocks if he is able to play at his very best.
Rafael Nadal will open up against compatriot Fernando Verdasco. The two men have played each other 17 times since 2003, with Nadal leading the head-to-head 15-2. With a series of qualifiers floating round his section, the 9-time French Open champion could play Jeremy Chardy in round three followed by Kevin Anderson in the fourth round.
Other notable first round matches include Lleyton Hewitt’s clash against James Duckworth. Hewitt is playing in his final tournament before he retires from the sport. Unseeded Borna Coric could be a dangerous second round match for former US Open champion Marin Cilic. Coric faces Spain’s Albert Ramos in his first round. Finally Milos Raonic could face a tougher than expected test against France’s Lucas Pouille. The French world No.73 lost in straight sets in Brisbane last week to the Canadian and will be eager for revenge.
Projected men’s singles quarter finals
Novak Djokovic – Kei Nishikori
Roger Federer – Topmas Berdych
Rafael Nadal – Stan Wawrinka
Andy Murray – David Ferrer
