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Following a tumultuous few weeks - which included mandatory isolation periods, positive COVID tests, exhibition controversies and an interruption in the warm-up events - the 2021 Australian Open is finally set to kick off on Monday.
The men's draw will be headlined by World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic. the Serb has had his share of controversies off the court, but he looked in fine form during the defense of his ATP Cup title with Serbia.
Joining Djokovic in the race to the title are 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem.
The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev will also be looking to make their mark at the year's first Grand Slam. Meanwhile youngsters Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud will try and continue knocking on the door.
On that note, here's a look at the men's draw for Australian Open 2021.
1st quarter: Novak Djokovic set to be tested in the early rounds
Despite being the overwhelming favorite, Novak Djokovic doesn't have an easy path to the semifinals.
The eight-time Australian Open winner faces Jeremy Chardy in the first round. But he has stern tests up next in the form of Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul, before potentially coming up against familiar foes Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic.
World No. 7 Alexander Zverev, who was mired in several off-court controversies last year, could stand in the way of Djokovic and the semifinals.
The 23-year-old Zverev has played a key role in Germany's qualification to the semifinals of the ATP Cup this week. The US Open runner-up has a relatively easy run to the quarterfinals; the only possibly difficult matchups for him are Alexander Bublik and the tricky Gael Monfils.
Expected quarterfinal: (1) Novak Djokovic vs (6) Alexander Zverev
Predicted quarterfinal result: Novak Djokovic def. Alexander Zverev
Dark horse: Alexander Bublik
1st round match to watch: Corentin Moutet vs John Millman
2nd quarter: Dominic Thiem vying for second Major title amid a packed field
After three consecutive Slam final losses, Dominic Thiem finally lifted his first Major trophy at the US Open last year. But given that Rafael Nadal was missing from the draw in New York and Novak Djokovic suffered a shock default, the Austrian still has a point to prove at the highest level.
Not for the first time in recent history, the World No. 3 faces a packed quarter. Thiem could face a blockbuster third-round encounter with local favorite Nick Kyrgios. The Austrian also has the possibility of coming up against the experience of Grigor Dimitrov or Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round.
Standing between the semifinals and Thiem are a flurry of challengers vying for a breakthrough Australian Open run. Diego Schwartzman, who qualified for the ATP Finals last year, is looking to make his first semifinal in Melbourne, and the likes of Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also in with a shout.
Several eyes will be on Jannik Sinner too. The highly-touted 19-year-old Italian reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros last year, and he won his first title in Sofia to end the season on a very high note.
Expected quarterfinal: (3) Dominic Thiem vs (8) Diego Schwartzman
Predicted quarterfinal result: Dominic Thiem def. Jannik Sinner
Dark horse: Jannik Sinner
1st round match(es) to watch: Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreno Busta, Denis Shapovalov vs Jannik Sinner, Marin Cilic vs Grigor Dimitrov
3rd quarter: Compatriots Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev on a collision course
Daniil Medvedev is undoubtedly the form player coming into the Australian Open. At the time of writing, the 24-year-old is on a 12-match unbeaten streak, with consecutive titles at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals and a semifinal berth at the ATP Cup. Most importantly, eight of those 12 wins have come against top 10 opposition.
The Russian faces a stern test in the first round in the form of Vasek Pospisil, but following that, he has a relatively easy path to the quarterfinals. The only danger for him before the last-eight stage could be Borna Coric or David Goffin in the fourth round.
Medvedev's compatriot Andrey Rublev, who won more titles than any other player on the ATP tour last year, does not have the same luxuries. Following a good run with Russia at the ATP Cup, Rublev faces tough competition against one of Sam Querrey, Lorenzo Sonego or Feliciano Lopez as early as the third round.
The Russian could then potentially come up against one of Roberto Bautista Agut or Casper Ruud for a place in the quarterfinals. The former will be looking to go one better in Melbourne after making the last eight in 2019.
However, Bautista Agut could face big-hitter Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round itself. Struff comes into the draw with plenty of confidence, after a couple of top performances during the ATP Cup group stages.
Expected quarterfinal: (4) Daniil Medvedev vs (7) Andrey Rublev
Predicted quarterfinal result: Daniil Medvedev def. Roberto Bautista Agut
Dark horse: Jan-Lennard Struff
1st round match to watch: Daniil Medvedev vs Vasek Pospisil
4th quarter: Rafael Nadal looking for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title
All eyes will be on Rafael Nadal in the bottom half of the draw, as the World No. 2 looks to make history with a 21st Grand Slam title.
That said, the Spaniard faces serious question marks over his fitness. He was forced to withdraw from the group stages of the ATP Cup due to 'tightness' in his back.
Nadal could possibly come into the tournament without having played a single professional match since November. But the 2009 champion has received a favorable draw in the early rounds of the tournament, and he has plenty of time to play his way into form in Melbourne.
The sternest opposition standing between Nadal and the quarterfinals is local favorite Alex de Minaur or familiar foe Fabio Fognini, but that will come only in the fourth round.
The other side of the quarter is stacked with challengers though, and leading the pack is the in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas. The World No. 6 will be looking to silence his detractors with a deep run in Melbourne.
Tsitsipas has been on a good run of form over the past few months, but he has quite a few threats in his path to the quarterfinals. The Greek faces veteran Gilles Simon in the first round, after which he could meet the highly-touted Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz or Delray Beach champion Hubert Hurkacz in the third round.
Following that, Tsitsipas might have to get past a former top-10 player in the form of Matteo Berrettini, Kevin Anderson or Karen Khachanov.
Expected quarterfinal: (2) Rafael Nadal vs (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Predicted quarterfinal result: Rafael Nadal def. Hubert Hurkacz
Dark horse(s): Hubert Hurkacz, Carlos Alcaraz
1st round match to watch: Matteo Berrettini vs Kevin Anderson
Semifinal predictions
Dominic Thiem def. Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev def. Rafael Nadal
Final prediction
Dominic Thiem def. Daniil Medvedev
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
