The 2019 Australian Open's draw ceremony has opened the doors for those inevitable debates that go back and forth prior to the start. The 107th edition of the Australian Open is just around the corner and the next fortnight is set to be a genuine Tennis spectacle.
Roger Federer is the defending champion. According to ESPN, the current world number three is set to make a 20th consecutive appearance in the event's main draw. It was the year 2000 when he made his debut at Melbourne Park.
Roger Federer saw his name landing in the bottom half of the draw where his long-standing rival Rafael Nadal is the only one with a superior seed status.
The Spaniard was seeded second which means they will only clash if both reach the semis.
Roger Federer has an interesting quarter of the draw
The odds saved Federer from a potential first-round blockbuster as there were many unseeded tough opponents looming in the draw. According to the official website of the tournament ausopen.com, he is set to open his 2019 Australian Open campaign against Denis Istomin. The same Istomin produced shockwaves two years ago when he delivered a real stunner by defeating Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and the world No. 1 at that time.
If he gets past Istomin, Federer will take on the winner of a match opposing two qualifiers. The third round could bring Gael Monfils on the other side of the net while the fourth round has the young Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas as a potential candidate.
If he gets all the way to the quarterfinals, Roger Federer may face Marin Cilic in what would be a replay of the 2018 Australian Open final.
The semifinal stages could see Federer and Nadal confronting for the first time since 2017. It would also be a replay of that 2017 Australian Open epic final.
A potential third final in a row in Melbourne would be the ultimate test for Federer.
Although still far away, the final may produce some stunning tennis with Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori headlining the top half of the draw.
Federer and Djokovic are dueling from a distance
Both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have six titles in Melbourne each. With their potential clash being possible only in the final, the stakes of that encounter could be even higher.
Moreover, a third straight triumph in Australia would land Federer that elusive 100th ATP title. On top of that, he will add the 21st Grand Slam triumph to his surreal career stats.
On the other side, Novak Djokovic seeks to prolong his Grand Slam winning streak. The Serb won back-to-back Grand Slams in 2018. Interesting or not, Marco Cecchinato is the last person who can brag about defeating Djokovic at a Major tennis tournament.
