Roger Federer to start 2016 campaign in Brisbane

New Delhi: Roger Federer is likely to start his 2016 campaign against Australian wildcard Ben Mitchell or a qualifier at the Brisbane International.

Top seed Federer has a first-round bye in the tournament, which starts on Sunday.

Mitchell is one win away from earning a dream match-up with the 17-time Grand Slam champion at Pat Rafter Arena.

The 34-year-old is the defending champion of the ATP 250 event. He beat Milos Raonic in last year's final in a three-set final. In 2014, he lost to Lleyton Hewitt in the title clash.

Federer is scheduled to arrive in Brisbane on Saturday morning.

Besides the Swiss maestro, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Raonic are also taking part in the tournament, before the season opening Grand Slam Australian Open.