Tennis

Australian Open draw 2015: Defending champion Stan Wawrinka, No. 1 Novak Djokovic could meet in semifinals

A rematch of the 2014 final between Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal is a possibility.

Jan 16, 2015, 1:21 AM UTC

Matt King/Getty Images

Stan Wawrinka, whose only career Grand Slam title came at the 2014 Australian Open, will begin the 2015 edition of the event with a first-round match against Marsel Ilhan, according to the results of the draw that took place Thursday.

Wawrinka is set up for a potential semifinal matchup with top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who won the tournament each of the three previous years. Rafael Nadal, the runner-up to Wawrinka last year, would have to reach the final for a rematch of the 2014 final. Nadal could see Roger Federer, the world’s second-ranked player, in the other semifinal matchup.

Marin Cilic, the only player not ranked in the top four to win a Grand Slam in 2014, withdrew from the event with a shoulder injury.

On the women’s side, No. 1 Serena Williams will take on Alison Van Uytvanck in the opening round. Williams could see fourth-ranked Petra Kvitova in the semis. Another potential semifinal matchup would pit second-ranked Maria Sharapova against No. 4 Simona Halep, the only player in the women’s top four not to win a Grand Slam last year.

Li Na, the 2014 Australian Open winner, retired at the end of last season.

Here are the matchups for the top-seeded players in each tournament. For the full draw, click here.