Match: Rafael Nadal v Florian Mayer
Date: 17 January, Tuesday
Time: 12pm SGT/9:30am IST/4am GMT (onwards)
Competition: Australian Open 2017
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park
TV Channel: In Singapore, Fox Sports will provide live TV coverage.
Live Streaming: The match can be watched live online at AO TV Live, Watch ESPN, Tennis Channel Live
Overview
Rafael Nadal returns to competitive tennis action after he took time off from the calendar in October last year to recover completely from the wrist injury, that forced him to withdraw from 2016 French Open.
Also see - Novak Djokovic v Fernando Verdasco: Live streaming, TV information and match time
The fit-again Spaniard star is seeded ninth for the season's first Grand Slam tournament in Australia, which he has only won once in his career (2009). The 30-year-old, who has been without a major title in the last two years believes he will hit peak form very soon.
Notably, Nadal bowed out of last year's Australian Open as early as in the first round after losing a five-setter against compatriot Fernando Verdasco, who will face Novak Djokovic in the evening session on Tuesday. He is heading into the first-round clash after losing the Brisbane quarter-final to Milos Raonic as well.
However, after having roped in former world number one Carlos Moya as part of his coaching staff, Nadal is all geared up with steady dose of practise. He will be up against unseeded German player Florian Mayer against whom he has a 3-1 head-to-head advantage, with their last meeting coming at the 2012 Rome Masters.
"The only thing that I can say is I am practicing well. I am enjoying every practice. I feel myself ready for the competition, yes. Then, if that happens during the next couple of days, I am able to compete well from the beginning, you never know what can happen," Nadal said, as quoted by the tournament's official website.
On the other hand, Mayer will be motivated to take on the comeback man as he has tasted victory during their only meet on hard court (Shanghai Masters 2011).
TV Schedule
Australia: Seven
India: Sony Six
Japan: NHK, WOWOW, Sportsnavi
Malaysia: Fox Sports
US: ESPN
UK: Eurosport
Thailand: Fox Sports
China: CCTV, Guangdong Sports, BTV Sports
Spain: Eurosport
