Australian Open 2019 draw: See who plays who in the first Grand Slam of the year

Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic were all smiles during their exhibition match ... we're tipping they won't be smiling after seeing their first round opponents. SEE HOW THE AUSSIES FARED.

Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic have paid a heavy price for slipped rankings, drawing Wimbledon finalists Milos Raonic and Marin Cilic in horror first-round Australian Open pairings.

Unseeded, the controversial duo have fallen out of the top 20 after troubled 2018 seasons – and now face massive challenges to survive the first Melbourne Park hurdle.

James Duckworth also faces a huge task with an opening-round appointment with second seed Rafael Nadal.

Alex de Minaur landed in 17-time major winner Nadal’s section and is seeded to meet the Spaniard in the third round, providing he handles Portugal’s Pedro Sousa first-up.

Australia’s top women fared much better with 15th seed Ash Barty to start against Thai Luksika Kumkhum and Daria Gavrilova against Slovenian Tamara Zidansek.

Kyrgios will play Raonic in round one

But there were daunting draws for Ajla Tomljanovic, who plays Briton Johanna Konta, and teenager Destanee Aaiva, who faces 17th seed Madison Keys first up.

Defending champion Roger Federer, chasing a record seventh Open crowns, will open against Denis Istomin.

Owner of a record 20 majors, Federer would reach the century milestone of titles if he wins a third successive Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

“Ninety nine is already an incredible number and I could live happily on 99 but when you’re so closet,” Federer, 37, said.

“Every tournament I go to we will talk about it but I don't want to think too far ahead. Reaching 100 will be truly special for me.”

Winner of the past two Open titles, Federer said Melbourne Park “has been a very emotional place for me to play.”

“I’m surprised I’m still at this level,” the Swiss admitted.

Top seed Novak Djokovic, locked with Federer in a race to break a three-way tie with fellow six-time winner Roy Emerson, starts against a qualifier but could play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round.

Barty opens against Kumkhum

Women’s defending champion Caroline Wozniacki faces Belgian Alison van Uytvanck and could play Maria Sharapova in a blockbuster third round.

Serena Williams starts against German Tatjana Maria, while World No 1 Simona Halep opens against Estonian Kaia Kanepi.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, Naiktha Bains and Astra Sharma will contest final-round qualifying on Friday intent on reaching the main draw.

The Aussies

15-Ash Barty v Luksika Kumkhum (Tha)

Daria Gavrilova v Tamara Zidansek (Slo)

Ajla Tomljanovic v Johanna Konta (Gbr)

Sam Stosur v Dayana Yastremska (Ukr)

Priscilla Hon v Qualifier

Kimberly Birrell v Qualifier

Destanee Aiava v 17-Madison Keys (US)

Ellen Perez v Wang Yafan (Chn)

Zoe Hives v Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US)

27-Alex de Minaur v Pedro Sousa (Por)

Nick Kyrgios v 16-Milos Raonic (Can)

John Millman v Federico Delbonis (Arg)

Matt Ebden v Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger)

Bernard Tomic v 6-Marin Cilic (Cro)

Jordan Thompson v Feliciano Lopez (Spa)

Jason Kubler v Thomas Fabbiano (Ita)

James Duckworth v 2-Rafael Nadal (Spa)

Alexei Popyrin v Mischa Zverev (Ger)

Marc Polmans v Robin Haase (Ned)

Alex Bolt v Jack Sock (US)

Originally published as Australian Open 2019 draw: See who plays who in the first Grand Slam of the year

Updates