MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal, improving each day after catching a cold, will begin his quest for a “Rafa Slam” with a first-round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazil at the Australian Open.

The tournament draw today put Nadal in the top half along with Andy Murray and Robin Soderling, providing tough potential opponents en route to a possible final against No. 2 seed Roger Federer. Third-seeded Novak Djokovic and Federer are both in the bottom half of the draw.

Nadal is bidding to become the first man in 42 years to win four straight Grand Slam tournaments. He won 2010 titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. He could face No. 32-ranked Feliciano Lopez of Spain or American John Isner in the third round.

Ivan Lendl, a former No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion who helped conduct today’s draw, said Nadal’s achievement would be a large piece of tennis history.

“In the men’s game we have had the pleasure of watching records which many people thought would never be broken,” Lendl said. “We’re maybe on the edge of another one. ... It’s a fantastic time in men’s tennis.”

Defending champion Federer will take on Lukas Lacko, and American Andy Roddick, trying to win his first Grand Slam since the 2003 U.S. Open, will play Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic.

On the women’s side, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki will face Gisela Dulko of Argentina in the first round, while 2010 finalist Justine Henin has drawn a qualifier. Fourth-seeded Venus Williams was placed in the top half with Wozniacki and will play Sarah Errani of Italy.

Serena Williams, the defending champion, will not play as she recovers from a foot injury.