Nadal could face Djokovic in French Open semis

May 24, 2013 04:57 pm | Updated October 18, 2016 02:08 pm IST - PARIS

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal could face top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the French Open semifinals a year after they met to decide the title.

Friday’s draw for the clay-court Grand Slam tournament placed Nadal and Djokovic on the same half of the field, while Roger Federer could face David Ferrer in the other semifinal.

Federer will face a qualifier in the first round and if he wins that, he’ll play a qualifier in the second round, too. Djokovic faces a far more intriguing start. The reigning Australian Open champion’s first round opponent is David Goffin, a 22-year-old Belgian who took a set off Federer in the fourth round in Paris last year after making it that far as a lucky loser.

“I am very happy that I am back and I am healthy to play here another time,” said Nadal.

The possible men’s quarterfinals are - Djokovic against No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic; Nadal against No. 7 Richard Gasquet of France; Federer against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France; and Ferrer against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

Berdych was drawn to face Gael Monfils of France in the first round, drawing groans from some members of the audience.

Serena meets Tatishvili

Serena Williams wants to end her own, shorter drought in Paris her lone French Open title came in 2002 and her bid for a second championship will begin against 83rd-ranked Anna Tatishvili in the first round.

A year ago in Paris, Williams lost her opening match to 111th-ranked Virginie Razzano, the American’s only first round loss in 50 career Grand Slam tournaments.

The possible women’s quarterfinals are - Williams against No. 8 Angelique Kerber, defending champion Maria Sharapova against No. 7 Petra Kvitova, No. 3 Victoria Azarenka against 2011 champion Li Na, and No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska against Sara Errani.

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