LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Rafael Nadal of Spain greets Roger Federer of Switzerland after the men's singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 22, 2011 in London, England. Federar won 6-3 6-0. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images for Barclays ATP Finals)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer begin their quest for more major championships Monday at the 2012 Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam of 2012 is always good for some surprises. It was where Novak Djokovic broke through to win his first major in 2008. It was where previously unknown Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus made a run to the final in 2006 only to fall to Roger Federer. It was where, just last year Kim Clijsters won on the women's side after a retirement, reminding everyone why tennis missed her so much to begin with.
It was also the jumping off point of Novak Djokovic's spectacular season last year, and he'll look to defend his title as the No. 1 seed, though he won't be in action on Monday. The tournament's Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, however, will be in action on tournament's first day.
Second-ranked Nadal will face American Alex Kuznetsov, while third-ranked Federer will face Russian Alexander Kudryavtsev. For the first time since the 2005 French Open, Nadal and Federer are on the same side of a draw at a major, meaning that only one of them can advance to the final.
Coverage of Nadal's match begins on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. EST, while Federer's will be in the early morning at 3 a.m. EST. All coverage is also available online at ESPN3.com.
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