(CNN) — If allowed to stay in the country, nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic will begin his defense of the title with a match against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the tournament, according to the draw on Thursday.
Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is in the same half of the picture as No. 1 seed Djokovic, but they would not meet until the semi-finals, should they reach that stage.
Nadal, seeded sixth, will face American Marcos Girón in the first round. Of the top 20 Spanish titles, only one is a 2009 Australian Open title.
The Australian Open drawing, which was scheduled to begin at 11 pm Miami time on Wednesday, was postponed to 12:15 am Thursday (4:15 pm Melbourne local time).
No reason was given to the media present.
