Australian Open 2018: Projected routes to the men’s singles final for the top players

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

Look who is back! The record-holder champion returns to the tour, albeit with a ranking of 12. As with Federer last year, this will be a test of talent, character and fitness for Djokovic over the fortnight, as understandably he has a difficult road to the final. With doubts still lingering over his fitness, it remains to be seen if he competes in the tournament after all.

If he feels fit enough to compete though, he is slated to start off with a match against Donald Young. The difficulty levels then shoot up where he is likely to face the unpredictable Frenchman Gael Monfils. He could end the first week with another tough game against World No. 24 Albert Ramos Vinolas.

As if that wasn’t enough, the level of competition in the second week goes up multiple notches with possible matches against Alexander Zverev in the fourth round, followed by a quarter-final clash against the guy who humiliated him in the French Open last year -- Dominic Thiem.

The old matter of battling Roger Federer (in the semis) and Rafael Nadal (in the final) awaits him en route to a seventh Australian Open title.