Nadal, Federer in same half of Aus Open draw

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are in the same half of a Grand Slam for the first time in seven years after the draw made yesterday for next week's Australian Open in Melbourne.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic has World No 4 Andy Murray in the top half of the men's singles draw, while Nadal and Federer, second and third ranked respectively, were placed for the bottom half. It is the first time since the 2005 French Open that 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer and 10-time major winner Nadal are in the same half of a grand slam draw.u00a0

The draw means that if they progress, the quartet will meet in the last four with Djokovic and Murray on collision course and Federer and Nadal eyeing a semi-final clash.