Djokovic faces qualifier at Open, Federer takes on Istomin

WORLD number one Novak Djokovic will start his bid to win a record seventh Australian Open title next week against a qualifier following Thursday’s draw.

The Serb had a magnificent 2018, making an astonishing climb back from outside the world’s top 20 in June, winning Wimbledon and the US Open on the way to reclaiming the number one ranking in November.

He will start his drive to make history against a yet- to- bedecided qualifier and could meet France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round.

Champion Roger Federer, seeded three and also gunning for a seventh Melbourne title, starts his title defence against world number 99 Denis Istomin and could meet Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.

“He ( Djokovic) continues to challenge me. I played him in his prime when he was virtually unbeatable. It was important not to get frustrated by it. I always enjoy my matches against him,” 20- time Grand Slam winner Federer said at the draw.

“We are both natural attacking players. We are aggressive. He is up there with Nadal and Hewitt they make me rethink my game. I like to play attacking tennis, so I’ve come full circle.”

Second seeded Nadal begins against Aust ral ian James Duckwor t h , fou r t h s e e d Alexander Zverev faces Slovenian Aljaz Bedene while last year’s runner- up Marin Cilic has a tricky encounter with Australian Bernard Tomic. — AFP