Hewitt’s draw OK but not Casey’s
FORMER world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt was one of the big winners but compatriot Casey Dellacqua was not so lucky in the Brisbane International draw held yesterday.
World No.60 Hewitt, 32, dodged a bullet when named on the opposite side of the draw to top seed Roger Federer before being lined up against a qualifier in the first round of the Australian Open warm-up tournament that starts today.
Hewitt faces a potential second-round showdown with sixth seed Feliciano Lopez, the left- handed world No.28 of Spain.
He was named on the same side of the draw of second seed, world No.17 Kei Nishikori of Japan.
Based on seedings, the draw set up potential men’s semi-finals between Federer and No.4 Kevin Anderson of South African and Nishikori and No. 3 Gilles Simon of France.
But doubles success Dellacqua had a nightmare draw in a field that includes five current or former world No.1s.
It is headlined by 17-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams.
If successful in her opening clash with Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva, the world No.142 faces a daunting second- round showdown with second seed and world No. 2 Victoria Azarenka.
Dellacqua made three of four Grand Slam doubles finals this year with Ashleigh Barty but will need to prove her singles credentials to advance in a tough women’s draw that will keep even Williams honest.
Williams could find herself playing Caroline Wozniacki in the quarters, four- time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova in the semis and Azarenka in the final based on seedings.
Azarenka’s path to the final appears less hectic. She faces a potential quarter-final with seventh seed and Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki followed by a semi against former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic.
Williams’ half of the draw also features 2012 Brisbane champion Kaia Kanepi and former Brisbane finalists Andrea Petkovic and Daniela Hantuchova.