Rafael Nadal, improving each day after catching a cold, will begin his quest for a “Rafa Slam” with a first-round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazil at the Australian Open.
The tournament draw held yesterday put Nadal in the top half along with Andy Murray and Robin Soderling, providing tough potential opponents en route to a possible final against No. 2 seed Roger Federer. Third-seeded Novak Djokovic and Federer are both in the bottom half of the draw.
Nadal is bidding to become the first man in 42 years to win four straight Grand Slam tournaments. He won titles last year at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. He could face No. 32-ranked Feliciano Lopez of Spain or the US’ John Isner in the third round here.
Nadal arrived in Melbourne with a stuffy nose and congested chest, which has hampered his preparation and almost caused him to pull out of a tournament last week in Doha. The rainy Melbourne weather hasn’t helped.
“I’m improving every day, hopefully I’m going to be completely recovered for next Monday,” Nadal said.
“I’m still a little bit [congested], but I don’t have fever. I need a few more days maybe, but hopefully it’s going to be fine,” he said.
Ivan Lendl, a former No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion who helped conduct the draw, said Nadal’s achievement would be a large piece of tennis history.
“In the men’s game, we have had the pleasure of watching records which many people thought would never be broken,” Lendl said.
“We’re maybe on the edge of another one. First, Pete [Sampras] beats [Roy] Emerson’s record and then Roger [Federer] beats Pete’s record. Now, Rafa is possibly going to win four in a row and if he wins a few more majors, then we will start talking about him possibly passing Roger. It’s a fantastic time in men’s tennis,” Lendl added.
Defending champion Federer will take on Lukas Lacko, third-seeded Novak Djokovic will meet Marcel Granollers and British hope Murray, who lost to Federer in last year’s final at Melbourne Park, plays Karol Beck.
On the women’s side, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki will face Gisela Dulko of Argentina in the first round, while last year’s finalist Justine Henin has drawn a qualifier. Fourth-seeded Venus Williams was placed in the top half with Wozniacki and will play Sarah Errani of Italy in the first round.
Serena Williams, the defending champion, will not play due to her recovery from a foot injury.
US Open champion Kim Clijsters, the No. 3 seed, will play Dinara Safina of Russia in a match featuring two former No. 1 players. Safina has been hampered for much of the last year with a back injury.
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