Familiar foe could await Federer in Aussie Open semis
Roger Federer found himself in a slightly awkward position before Thursday’s Australian Open draw. Just by being there. A few minutes later, Federer found out how difficult defending his title could be after landing in the same half as six-time champion Novak Djokovic.
“This is not normal,” Federer told a crowd at Margaret Court Arena. “I don’t like usually going to draws because they freak me out. I don’t want to know who I play other than just seeing the sheet at the end and knowing who my firstround opponent is.”
First up, the 36- yearold Swiss will play Ajaz Bedene of Slovenia. He also has No. 7-ranked David Giffin, Juan Martin del Potro, Sam Querry and Milos Raonic in his quarter.
There’s a potential semifinal against Djokovic, who is aiming for a record seventh Australian title but is seeded 14th as he returns from six months on the sidelines with a right elbow injury.
Federer beat Rafael Nadal in the final last year on his return from six months on the sidelines and is seeded No. 2 as he bids for a 20th Grand Slam singles title.
Top-ranked Nadal will open against Victor Estrella Burgos, has a potential fourth- round match against John Isner, and No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov in his half of the draw.
Serena Williams has opted not to defend her title fourmonths after giving birth to her first child, leav- ing the women’s draw open.
Her sister Venus, who lost the all-Williams Australian Open final last year, has a tough opener against Belinda Bencic.
Top-ranked Simona Halep opens against Australian wild card Destanee Aiava, has a potential second-round match against 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, and is in the same half as Garbine Muruguza, the Wimbledon champ.
Third-seeded Muguruza is in a difficult quarter containing former Australian Open champions Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber, and U. S. Open finalist Madison Keys.
Baseball
BRUCE RETURNS TO METS » Free- agent outfielder Jay Bruce is set to return to the New York Mets after agreeing to a $39 million, threeyear contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
New York traded him to the AL Central champion Indians on Aug. 9 for a minor-league pitcher. DODGERS REACH DEALS » The Dodgers have agreed to one-year contracts with two of their seven players who filed for arbitration.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal agreed to a one-year, $7.9 million deal. Reliever Pedro Baez agreed to a oneyear, $1.5 million contract.
Olympics
U. S. NAMES GOALIES » USA Hockey named David Leggio and Brandon Maxwell as the final two goaltenders for its Olympic team.
Leggio and Maxwell join a team that already includes Ryan Zapolski.
The 33-year- old Leggio has played the past three seasons in Germany. Maxwell, 26, has played threeplus seasons in the Czech Republic. Zapolski, 31, plays for Jokerit in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League. BOBSLEDDER SUFFERS STROKE » A British bobsledder will miss the Winter Olympics after suffering a stroke. Bruce Tasker, who was part of the British four- man team that finished fifth at the Sochi Games in 2014, was taken to the hospital after experiencing dizziness and sickness last week.
Tasker said in a statement, “I’m very grateful that I’m still fit and healthy.”
College football
FOUR FROM TIDE DECLARE FOR NFL » Alabama is losing four more underclassmen to the NFL draft, including All-America safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick, safety Ronnie Harrison and tailback Bo Scarbrough announced they’re skipping their senior seasons. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne also is entering the draft. GATORNFL-BOUND » Marcell Harris, the Florida safety who tore his right Achilles tendon in late July and missed all of last season, announced he is forgoing his final year of eligibility and entering the NFL draft. DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AXED » Oklahoma State has fired defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer.
Soccer
PULISIC WINS U. S. PLAYER OF YEAR » Christian Pulisic was the runaway winner of soccer’s U. S. Player of the Year, the youngest choice in the award’s 27-year-history.
The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder received 81 first-place votes and 254 points in balloting conducted among 104media by the radio network Futbol de Primera. Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC was second with 95 points. Michael Bradley, captain of Toronto FC and the U.S. national team, was third with 75.