Australian Open: Thiem and Zverev in the same quarter, Federer against Bedene

Difficult draw for Austria’s number one, Dominic Thiem: He meets Argentinean Guido Pella. Alexander Zverev is confronted with Thomas Fabbiano.

Roger Federer, last week’s winner of the Hopman Cup, was able to witness first-hand how his way back to the final in the Rod Laver Arena could be shaped. In round one, the Swiss player will face Aljaz Bedene, while David Goffin is seated in the lowest quarter in the quarter-finals.

Rafael Nadal, the final loser against Federer in 2017, starts his attack on the title against Victor Estrella Burgos. Damir Dzhumhur could be the first to win, followed by John Isner. In the quarter-finals, Marin Cilic would be the Spaniard’s opponent, according to the seed list.

Grigor Dimitrov, who lost to Nadal in the semi-finals a year ago, has to deal with a qualifier, the Bulgarian was drawn into the upper half of the match and thus into Nadal’s side, the regular quarter-final opponent would be Jack Sock. Nick Kyrgios could face Dimitrov in round four – the Australian favourite would probably have to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in front of him.

Germany’s number one, Alexander Zverev, in fourth place in Melbourne, was drawn into the lower half and Roger Federer’s potential semi-final opponent. First-round opponent is Thomas Fabbiano. In the third round, there could be a fraternal duel with Mischa, while Novak Djokovic could wait in the round of sixteen.

Dominic Thiem, who canceled his Thursday start at the Kooyong Classics on short notice, has already won a difficult draw in round one: Austria’s number one has never won against Guido Pella. Stan Wawrinka, number nine, was drawn into the Thiem quarter.