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.
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“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.
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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.