Seventh heaven beckons for Federer and Djokovic at Open
Old guard faced stern challenge from youthful force including fourth-seeded Zverev, still chasing a first Major
Melbourne — Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are both gunning for a record seventh Australian Open crown from Monday, but Andy Murray will make his last appearance in Melbourne as the era of the "Big Four" draws to a close. No1 Djokovic and the third seeded Federer face a stern challenge from the likes of the youthful Alexander Zverev, seeded four, who is still looking for a first Major to cement his place as torch-bearer for the next generation. Murray dropped a bombshell, breaking down at a media conference as he revealed chronic hip pain means he will retire after Wimbledon — if he can carry on that long. And question marks remain over the fitness of world No2 Rafael Nadal, who pulled out of his Brisbane warm-up but arrived in Melbourne professing he is "fully fit". It all means the era of the "Big Four" is almost over after a season in which Federer — who opens his title defence against Denis Istomin on Monday — rolled back the years on Rod Laver Arena to lift an emotional 20th ...
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