Rafael Nadal loses to Richard Gasquet at Kooyong Classic

Tsonga 'It was tough to recognize Rod Laver Arena it's changed a lot'

Tsonga 'It was tough to recognize Rod Laver Arena it's changed a lot'

It never fails to serve up surprising storylines and 2018 promises to be no different. "The trend of 30 somethings thriving in today's tennis landscape doesn't end with Roger (Federer), Rafa (Rafael Nadal), and the Williams sisters".

Djokovic is poised to return to action after recovering from his injury-plagued 2017 and he's expected to challenge for the title as well, but the Serb star says it is Federer and Nadal who should be feared most.

That means they can only play each other if they set up a rematch of last year's final. It throws the women's race wide open with Simona Halep the top seed.

"It's not an official match but still a test for me and good practice, that's the most important thing, that's the most important thing for the whole season", the 31-year-old Spaniard said, reaffirming his need to keep practising hard to be prepared for the Australian Open. But will his creaky knees hold up for two full weeks?

It is those who have failed to make the trip Down Under - or those who have limped here carrying injuries - who are causing a stir and, as a result, both draws are supposed to be there for the taking by any young hopeful with a bit of a courage and a hefty forehand. From the chasing pack, only Muguruza and Ostapenkoa have Slam titles to their name while the rest are all looking for their maiden trophy. An extension of the trend is not out of the question with Maria Sharapova unseeded in Melbourne. But for the leading favourites, there are plenty of records to chase after.

19-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is placed as second seed while Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov and Germany's Alexander Zverev have been named third and fourth seed, respectively, the Daily Express reported.

The Open's top seed broke Thiem twice in the second set for the only breaks of the match.

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It also included James Mitchell, who had celebrated his 89th birthday the day before with his wife, Alice, of more than 50 years. There are now five active missing persons cases, Brown said, though that number has continued to fluctuate throughout the week.

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England will prepare for the World Cup with friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica before flying to Russian Federation . Gernot Rohr's side started their World Cup preparation on a high after handing a 4-2 defeat to La Albiceleste in November.

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He added the country "would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly". He added: "I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level".

Seven-time champion Williams announced last week she wouldn't defend her title, saying she was "super close" but not quite ready to compete so soon after becoming a mother.

Then in 2017, after almost three years of suffering against Djokovic, the 10-time French Open champion appeared to change gears again, adding more pop to his serve and massively strengthening his double-handed backhand to better handle Djokovic's incessant pounding.

Will the real Next Gen please stand up?

Nick Kyrgios of Australia will be the highest seed amongst the Australians after being seeded 14th. So the player that does come through will all but likely have to face one of these NextGen guys. The Next Gen has been knocking on the door for a while, but will this year be finally when they breakthrough?

In the absence of Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, only two former champions are in the women's draw. "Hopefully if I can reach the last few rounds, I will feel more comfortable".

Over to you, Melbourne Park, for a fortnight of the best this sport has to offer.

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