Draper’s preparations for Melbourne had been as we speak boosted by making the semi-finals of Adelaide Worldwide 2 after beating Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6.
However he faces the arduous activity of a primary profession assembly in opposition to 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal in what is barely the world No40’s fourth look at any Grand Slam.
Draper is not any stranger to robust attracts on the majors, nevertheless, having taken a gap set off Novak Djokovic earlier than dropping at what was his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon in 2021.
In the meantime, Andy Murray faces his personal high opener in thirteenth seed Matteo Berrettini, who misplaced to Nadal within the semi-finals of final yr’s Australian Open.
Murray’s preparations, nevertheless, had been boosted by a second successive victory on the Kooyang Traditional exhibition as we speak, this time overcoming one other Australian Open seed in Alex di Minaur.
Emma Raducanu’s health stays unsure for the primary Grand Slam of the yr however, if she overcomes her ankle harm, the 20-year-old will tackle German Tamara Korpatsch.
She doubtlessly meets one of many Australian Open favourites in spherical two in Coco Gauff, the event’s seventh seed who received the ASB Traditional title on Sunday.
Kyle Edmund’s comeback from his knee surgical procedures continues with a gap encounter in opposition to fifteenth seed Jannik Sinner. British No1 Cameron Norrie faces Frenchman Luca van Assche whereas Dan Evans is up in opposition to Facundo Bagnis, of Argentina.
Harriet Dart, in the meantime, takes on one other seed in Jil Teichmann, whereas hopes of getting greater than two British girls in the primary draw had been dashed on the ultimate day of qualifying.
Jodie Burrage was denied 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 by Selena Janicijevic whereas Yuriko Miyazaki misplaced 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 to Coco Vandeweghe.
