The draw for the Australian Open 2011 has been made, with top seeds Rafael Nadal facing Brazilian Marcos Daniel, and Caroline Wozniacki set to play Gisela Dulko
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In the women's draw, US Open champion Kim Clijsters will take on former world No.1 Dinara Safina in one of the most-eagerly awaited first round clashes at Australian Open 2011. Safina, who has returned to the tour after prolonged back problems, will have her work cut out against the experienced Belgian, who comes into Melbourne after contesting the Medibank International final in Sydney, against Na Li.
In the first quarter of the draw, singles world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki has drawn doubles No.1 Gisela Dulko, in the opening round, who famously knocked out Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon. Rising Australian star Jarmila Groth faces Yanina Wickmayer, Australian Open 2010 runner-up Justine Henin takes on a qualifier, and Svetlana Kuznetsova matches up against American Alison Riske.
Venus Williams, runner-up at Australian Open 2003, is the top seed in the second quarter, and will play Italian Sara Errani. Impressive German Andrea Petkovic takes on Jill Craybas of the USA, Li Na plays Sofia Arvidsson, and Sharapova will play veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn.
The third quarter is home to the mouth-watering Clisters/Safina clash, as well as Jelena Jankovic against Alla Kudryavtseva, Kimiko Date-Krumm against Agniezska Radwanska, while Australia's Alica Molik plays Roberta Vinci of Italy.
In the fourth and final quarter, French Open finalist Samantha Stosur is matched up against American wildcard Lauren Davis in the third quarter, while fellow Australian Sally Peers will take on Wimbledon 2010 semi-finalist Petra Kvitova. Anastasia Rodionova plays Flavia Pennetta.
In the men's draw, Nadal is joined in the top quarter by Australian wildcard Bernard Tomic, who plays Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, and compatriot Lleyton Hewitt, who faces David Nalbandian. The Hewitt/Nalbandian encounter is agreed to be one of the most explosive of the opening men's matches.
Robin Soderling is the top seed in the second quarter. The Swede, twice a French Open finalist, will play Italian Potito Starace. Soderling is joined by Juan Martin Del Potro against Dudi Sela, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Philipp Petzschner, and Andy Murray against Karol Beck.
The third quarter is home to Australian Open 2008 champion Novak Djokovic, who will play Spain's Marcel Granollers in his first match. Andy Roddick, Tomas Berdych, Nikolay Davydenko, and Fernando Verdasco are also in the third quarter. Australian Peter Luczak faces veteran Ivan Ljubicic.
Roger Federer tops the fourth quarter, and will play Lukas Lacko in his first match.
First round matches for the Australian men:
Lleyton Hewitt v David Nalbandian
Marinko Matosevic v Ricardas Berankis
Peter Luczak v Ivan Ljubicic
Matthew Ebden v Michael Russell
Bernard Tomic v Jeremy Chardy
Carsten Ball v Pere Riba
First round matches for the Australian women:
Samantha Stosur v Lauren Davis
Olivia Rogowska v Evgeniya Rodina
Alicia Molik v Roberta Vinci
Jelena Dokic v Zuzana Ondraskova
Sophie Ferguson v Qualifier
Sally Peers v Petra Kvitova
Jarmila Groth v Yanina Wickmayer
Anastasia Rodionova v Flavia Pennetta
