Draper’s preparations for Melbourne were today boosted by making the semi-finals of Adelaide International 2 after beating Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6.
But he faces the arduous task of a first career meeting against 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal in what is only the world No40’s fourth appearance at any Grand Slam.
Draper is no stranger to tough draws at the majors, however, having taken an opening set off Novak Djokovic before losing at what was his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon in 2021.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray faces his own top opener in 13th seed Matteo Berrettini, who lost to Nadal in the semi-finals of last year’s Australian Open.
Murray’s preparations, however, were boosted by a second successive victory at the Kooyang Classic exhibition today, this time overcoming another Australian Open seed in Alex di Minaur.
Emma Raducanu’s fitness remains in doubt for the first Grand Slam of the year but, if she overcomes her ankle injury, the 20-year-old will take on German Tamara Korpatsch.
She potentially meets one of the Australian Open favourites in round two in Coco Gauff, the tournament’s seventh seed who won the ASB Classic title on Sunday.
Kyle Edmund’s comeback from his knee surgeries continues with an opening encounter against 15th seed Jannik Sinner. British No1 Cameron Norrie faces Frenchman Luca van Assche while Dan Evans is up against Facundo Bagnis, of Argentina.
Harriet Dart, meanwhile, takes on another seed in Jil Teichmann, while hopes of having more than two British women in the main draw were dashed on the final day of qualifying.
Jodie Burrage was denied 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 by Selena Janicijevic while Yuriko Miyazaki lost 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 to Coco Vandeweghe.
