MELBOURNE, Australia — Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic arrived here one year ago as the top two seeds at the Australian Open. When both departed before the quarterfinals, it cleared the way for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to reach the final, starting a reversal in fortunes that would hold throughout the season.
With Nadal and Federer now entrenched as top seeds, Djokovic, a six-time champion here, has the chance to prove spoiler in his first tournament since an elbow injury forced him out of Wimbledon. (Murray also came to Melbourne this week, but has now had surgery on his hip that will keep him out until at least the grass court season in June.