The 2014 Australian Open looks likely to result in another largely unsuccessful Grand Slam for our home grown stars as Australia’s top ranked players drew nightmare match-ups in the tournament’s opening round.
Among the number of ‘worst case scenario’ matchups are teen sensation Ashleigh Barty against world No.1 Serena Williams, Bernard Tomic to meet men’s top seed Rafael Nadal and Lleyton Hewitt facing Italian 24th seed Andreas Seppi.
Australia’s top ranked single, Sam Stosur, drew world No.37 Klara Zakopalova, but our 17th seed former US Open winner lost any type of mental edge on Friday when she to the Czech in the semi-final of the Hobart International.
Stosur has a ghastly record on Australian soil and has produced just three wins from seven matches to start 2014. Should she advance past Zakopalova in Melbourne, tough challengers Tsvetana Pironkova and former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic await in later rounds.
Despite being just 17 years of age, Barty has already appeared in nine grand slams and will be looking to ruin Serena’s hunt for an amazing 18th major title.
Another Aussie James Duckworth faces a tough ask against Roger Federer while the consistent Marinko Matosevic drew world No.16 Kei Nishikori.
Australian Open Round 1
Men
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v Rafa Nadal (1)
James Duckworth (AUS) v Roger Federer (6)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Andreas Seppi (24)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v Igor Sijsling
Marinko Matosevic (AUS) v Kei Nishikori (16)
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v Benjamin Becker
Matthew Ebden (AUS) v Nicolas Mahut
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jerzy Janowicz (20)
Women
Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Serena Williams (1)
Sam Stosur (17) (AUS) v Klara Zakopalova
Casey Dellacqua (AUS) v Vera Zvonerava
Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) v Angelique Kerber (9)
Olivia Rogowska (AUS) v Mariana Duque-Marino
Storm Sanders (AUS) v Camila Giorgi
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
