Australian Open 2017: Schedule, when and where to watch, live coverage on TV and online streaming

The first Grand Slam of the year starts off on Monday in Melbourne, with Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber returning as defending champions. World number one Andy Murray could face challenges from Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka if he is to reach a sixth Australian Open final. The Scot, coming off a magnificent 2016 with a second Wimbledon crown, a successful Olympic title defence and the year-end top ranking, has lost five Melbourne finals, four of those to Djokovic. The Serb will launch his bid for a record seventh Australian Open title with a mouth-watering first round match against Fernando Verdasco.[caption id="attachment_3204386" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Australian Open defending men's and woman's champions Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, and Germany's Angelique Kerber carry their trophies. AP[/caption]Roger Federer, seeded 17th after the longest injury lay-off of his near-20 year career, eases back in to grand slam action against qualifier Jurgen Melzer. But the Swiss master's path to an 18th grand slam title is likely to mean passing a huge third round hurdle against Japan's Nishikori.Three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, faces a challenging first round clash with Slovak Martin Klizan, with a possible fourth round against tempestuous Australian talent Nick Kyrgios. Rafael Nadal, the 2009 champion and seeded ninth this year, plays German journeyman Florian Mayer first up as he seeks to revive his career after a barren two years at the majors.In the women's tournament, Serena Williams has been dealt a perilous first clash against Swiss talent Belinda Bencic as the American bids for a record 23rd grand slam title in the professional era.Kerber, who stunned Williams in the final last year, will play 61st-ranked Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko as she seeks to shrug off some indifferent form in the leadup. The German world number one is aiming for her third grand slam win following on from her maiden U.S. Open title last year. French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, seeded seventh, will play 109th-ranked New Zealander Marina Erakovic, while third seed Agnieszka Radwanksa takes on Tsvetana Pironkova. Schedule for the fortnight:

Day	Date	Round	Time
Day 1	16 January	First round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		First round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 2	17 January	First round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		First round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 3	18 January	Second round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Second round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 4	19 January	Second round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Second round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 5	20 January	Third round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Third round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 6	21 January	Fourth round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Fourth round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 7	22 January	Fourth round - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Fourth round - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 8	23 January	Quarter-finals - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
		Qaurter-finals - Night Session	Starts at 1:30 PM IST
Day 9	24 January	Quarter-finals - Day Session	Starts at 5:30 AM IST
Day 10	25 January	Qaurter-finals - Night Session	Starts at 2 PM IST
Day 11	26 January	Women's singles semi-finals - Day Session	Starts at 8:30 AM IST
		Men's singles semi-final 1 - Night Session	Starts at 2 PM IST
Day 12	27 January	Men's singles semi-finals 2 - Night Session	Starts at 2 PM IST
Day 13	28 January	Women's singles final - Night Session	Starts at 2 PM IST
Day 14	29 January	Men's Ssingles final - Night Session	Starts at 2 PM IST

 Where to watch on TV: In India, the Australian Open matches will be telecast on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Online streaming: You can also watch the matches on Sony's online platform, www.sonyliv.com For the Asia-PAcific region, which India is a part of, all Australian Open matches will be streamed online on their official website as well.