The sight of Lleyton Hewitt’s name next to David Nalbandian’s in the 2011 Australian Open draw might have caused a surge of anxiety for the Australian’s army of fans but the first round replay of the 2002 Wimbledon final should offer a treat for neutrals. The clash between former No.1 Hewitt and the accomplished Argentine is the pick of the men’s first round draws, not least because the pair has a colourful history together when it comes to playing feisty Davis Cup ties and one highly memorable marathon match at the 2005 Australian Open, when Hewitt prevailed 10-8 in the fifth set.
Overall, the Australian, who is now ranked 54 in the world after a long injury-hit period, boasts a 3-2 record over Nalbandian but the Argentine’s form at the Heineken Open this week is a reminder of how well he can play when the mood takes him.
In other notable first round encounters, Jarkko Nieminen plays David Ferrer in what promises to be a high-quality encounter while Thiemo DeBakker against Gael Monfils is another first round draw which promises plenty. Former semifinalist Fernando Verdasco loves the Australian Open but may not be quite so fond of it after he was drawn against former finalist Rainer Schuettler in what could be an awkward opener.
Of the title contenders, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as the top two seeds, have been drawn in opposite sides of the draw as usual and each has been joined by rivals who should test them en route to a potential final. Robin Soderling and Andy Murray - the fourth and fifth seeds respectively - have both been drawn in the same half as Nadal, while Roger Federer is joined by Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych, the man who knocked him out of Wimbledon.
Each man must, of course, negotiate the first hurdle before worrying about the latter rounds. Nadal is up against Michael Daniel of Brazil, while Federer plays Lukas Lacko. Lacko and Daniel might consider it either terrible luck or a wonderful blessing to play against one of the greatest players of all time, either way that is what fate has dealt them.
Hewitt aside, the draw has been mixed for the Australian men. Peter Luczak has a difficult opening match against Ivan Ljubicic, while Bernard Tomic faces talented Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and Marinko Matosevic, who won the Australian Open wildcard play-off last month, must contend with talented young Ukrainian Ricardas Berankis.
