Djokovic faces a tricky path to Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic is going to have to do it the hard way if he wants to win a record seventh Australian Open title.

The former world No 1 is seeded 14th for this year’s grand slam in Melbourne following yesterday’s draw – a reflection of his slide down the rankings following six months out with an elbow injury.

Following yesterday’s draw, the Serbian 12-time major champion will begin his campaign against American world No 63 Donald Young, a player he has beaten in both their previous encounters.

Should Djokovic come through that, he could face France’s former world No 6 Gael Monfils, winner of last week’s Qatar Open. A place in the third round could set up a tie with either Albert Ramos-Vinolas, the world No 22 from Spain, or American Jared Donaldson.

If Djokovic, 30, should get through the early rounds, the challenge then steps up significantly in the fourth where world No 4 Alexander Zverev awaits, if the draw goes according to seeding.

Germany’s Zverev won their only match so far, comfortably defeating Djokovic in straight sets in the Rome Masters final last year.

Get through that and Djokovic will likely face either Austria’s world No 5 Dominic Thiem or three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals. Defending champion Roger Federer could then await in the semi-finals before a potential showdown with world No 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nadal will begin his bid for a second Australian Open title against Victor Estrella Burgos, the world No 81 from the Dominican Republic. Federer, who was present at yesterday’s draw, will open his title defence against Slovenia’s world No 51 Aljaz Bedene.

“It’s great to be back. I don’t normally like going to draws as they freak me out,” Federer, 36, said.

“I only like to see the draw sheet and see who my first round opponent is.”

In the women’s draw, top seed Simona Halep will face Australian wild-card Destanee Aiava in the opening round and could face twotime Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the third.

Arguably the standout tie of the first round will see last year’s beaten finalist Venus Williams, the No 5 seed, take on Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who reached a career-high No 7 in the rankings before an injury layoff.

Second seed Caroline Wozniacki will open her tournament against Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu, while third seed Garbine Muguruza takes on French wildcard Jessika Ponchet.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the 2016 champion, will face compatriot Anna-Lena Friedsam, while 2008 winner Maria Sharapova takes on world No 46 Tatjana Maria of Germany.

The Australian Open begins on Monday.