Djokovic’s first test may not come until a possible round-of-32 showdown with Grigor Dimitrov,but he also may need to go through Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in what would be a blockbuster quarter-final and rematch of their Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios,who became the 19th seed when Marin Cilic pulled out,drew Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round but is projected to clash with teenage top-tenner Holger Rune in the round of 32,then potentially fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
NICK KYRGIOS’ AUSTRALIAN OPEN PATH
(Some of the opponents who may stand in his way)
Round 1:Roman Safiullin
Round 2:Richard Gasquet or Ugo Humbert
Round 3:Holger Rune
Round 4:Andrey Rublev
Quarter-finals:Novak Djokovic,Alex De Minaur
Semi-finals:Casper Ruud,Taylor Fritz
Final:Rafael Nadal,Stefanos Tsitsipas,Felix Auger-Aliassime,Daniil Medvedev
Fourth-seeded Djokovic will return to the No.1 ranking if he wins another Melbourne Park title. Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas can also snatch top billing in the men’s game if they win their maiden grand slam championship.
Nadal may have to beat Yoshihito Nishioka,Karen Khachanov or Frances Tiafoe,Hubert Hurkacz and dual runner-up Daniil Medvedev to make it to the semi-finals,where Tsitsipas could be waiting.
The 22-time grand slam titlist,who has lost both his matches this year to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur,rallied from two sets down to break Medvedev’s heart in a thrilling final 12 months ago.