Istomin challenge
AUS OPEN Gunning for a hat-trick of titles, the Swiss is bidding to extend his all-time Grand Slam record to 21
MELBOURNE: Double defending champion Roger Federer will start his bid for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles next week against unseeded Uzbek Denis Istomin, who caused a huge upset when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the second round two years ago.
The draw for the first Grand Slam of the season was made on Thursday and the top seeds could face some early tests of their title credentials when play gets underway on Monday.
The six-times Australian Open champion Federer, who beat Marin Cilic in last year’s final, could meet the Croat in the quarter-finals, should the Swiss come through a potentially tricky fourth round against Greek prospect Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 37-year-old, seeded third, is bidding to extend his all-time leadingmen’sgrandslamrecord to 21 title and would capture a 100th ATP tournament win in the process.
“I always have tried to remind myself that this is a dream,” Federer said of his longevity at the draw ceremony held at Margaret Court Arena, where he discovered the world number 99 would be his opening opponent. “I’m surprised that I’m still at this level, that I’m still in the top 10.”
Men’s top seed Djokovic, who was defending his title when he lost to Istomin, will first meet a qualifier in his bid for a record seventh Melbourne title and third Grand Slam crown in succession following wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Serb Djokovic could then play a rematch of his 2008 final triumph MELBOURNE: Serena Williams has been handed a challenging draw in her quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, starting with Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the first round.
The American, seeded 16, is gunning to match Margaret Court’s record of singles majors and claim an eighth Australian Open crown. But Williams is in a tough half of the draw and could meet world number one Simona Halep in round four, and if she gets through that Karolina Pliskova in the last eight.
Before those potential ties, either Chinese wildcard Peng Shui or Canadian Eugenie Bouchard would await Williams in the second round.
Halep, who enters the tournament having played just one game in four months after a back injury, was handed a chance to avenge Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, who beat her in the first round of the US Open in August.
If she comes through that dangerous opening showdown, she could meet Venus Williams in round three. Defending champion and third seed Caroline Wozniacki starts against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium and could meet 2008 champion Maria Sharapova in round three.
“Coming back as defending champion, it’s something I always dreamed of. I feel at home here. These courts are suited for me. I’m enjoying every minute,” said the Dane at Thursday’s draw, while paying tribute to Williams.
“Serena is the greatest player to have played the game. Her experiences have been a learning experience for me.”
› I always have tried to remind myself that this is a dream. I’m surprised that I’m still at this level, that I’m still in the top 10. ROGER FEDERER, On his longevity
VASCO: Churchill Brothers moved to the second place with a dominating 3-1 win over Gokulam Kerala FC in the I-league here on Thursday. The Dawda Cessaywillis Plaza combination has proved to be very effective for the Goan giants this I-league season and the duo was again on the scoresheet at the Tilak Maidan.
Marcus Joseph, Kerala’s latest recruit from Trinidad & Tobago, did get a goal on his debut to give the visitors an early lead, but it was not enough on the day.
Churchill have 22 points from 12 games to be two behind leaders Chennai, while Gokulam, after suffering their sixth defeat in as many matches, find themselves stuck on eighth with 10 points.
KASHMIR VS AIZAWL
AIZAWL: Real Kashmir FC renew their dream debut campaign, aiming to grab the top spot on the points table in a 12th round I-league clash against Aizawl FC here on Friday. Kashmir are third while Aizawl are a rung above the bottom in the 11-team league.