Tough road ahead for FedEx

Rohan Bopanna failed to make the main draw after he lost to Michael Berrer of Germany 6-7 (3), 3-6 in the second round of the qualifiers. He fired 12 aces through the course of this clash, but his poor first serve percentage (47 %) saw him lose in straight sets. Neha Uberoi fell to a 5-7, 0-6 defeat against Sandra Zahvalova of the Czech Republic.

World No 1 Federer, bidding for his third Australian Open crown, also has American Andy Roddick and his 2005 semi-final conqueror Marat Safin in his half of the men’s draw for next week’s Slam.

Federer opens with a match against Germany’s Bjorn Phau and is drawn to meet the No 11 ranked Cypriot Baghdatis in the quarter finals. Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal starts off with a match against American Robert Kendrick, while Blake has a tough opener against former Australian Open finalist Carlos Moya.

Women’s top seed Maria Sharapova and Belgian Kim Clijsters have been drawn in the same half along with three-time champion Martina Hingis. Sharapova opens against France’s Camille Pin. Hingis, who lost in the first round to eventual finalist Jelena Jankovic at the Sydney International, plays France’s Nathalie Dechy in her opening match.

Second seed and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo is drawn in the bottom quarter of the draw with Russian seventh seed Elena Dementieva and 10th seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova. Mauresmo plays American Shenay Perry in the first round.