MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic is finally back in action on day two of the Australian Open on Tuesday (today), returning to the venue of his greatest grand slam success, hoping his elbow will hold up after keeping him on the sidelines for six months. Six times a men’s singles champion Down Under, the Serbian will be joined in making a return at Melbourne Park by 2008 women’s champion Maria Sharapova, who missed last year’s tournament because of a doping ban. Men’s champion Roger Federer, women’s top seed Simona Halep and Stan Wawrinka, whose 2014 triumph interrupted six years of Djokovic dominance and who is also returning from an injury layoff, are also in first round action. While Federer begins his title defence against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene in primetime on Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic and Sharapova will make their bows on Margaret Court Arena. Published in Daily Times, January 16th 2018.