Federer, Serena get easy starts, Nadal in bottom half
WIMBLEDON Defending champ faces Lajovic in Rd 1; Serena meets Arantxa
LONDON: Defending champion Roger Federer will begin his quest for a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title with a first-round clash against Serbian World No 57 Dusan Lajovic.
The 36-year-old Swiss, seeded one, appears to have been given a smoothish route to the latter rounds, though in-form third seed Marin Cilic, who he beat in last year’s final, could be waiting in the semi-final this time.
Seven-time women’s champion Serena Williams was handed a comfortable first-round draw after being paired with 107th ranked Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus. The 36-year-old American, who has played only a handful of matches this year after giving birth last September, is seeded 25th after being bumped up from her world ranking of 183.
It could soon get harder for Williams, though. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, the fifth seed, lies in wait as a potential third-round opponent. Defending women’s champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain will play Briton Naomi Broady in the first round while Venus Williams, runner-up last year, face Johanna Larsson.
MURRAY TO RETURN
Second seed Rafael Nadal, champion in 2008 and 2010, starts
against Israel’s Dudi Sela. Threetime champion Novak Djokovic faces American Tennys Sandgren. British favourite Andy Murray, still doubtful as he makes a comeback from hip injury, is unseeded and was drawn to play Benoit Paire.
Twice champion Murray could face Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov in round two and Argetine Juan Martin del Potro in round three.
Federer and Nadal can have few complaints about their draws. Federer could face 94thranked Lukas Lacko or 285thranked Benjamin Bonzi in round two and his first seeded opponent would be 32nd seed Leonardo Mayer in Rd 3.
Nadal could face French Open semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato, seeded 29, or German serve-and-volleyer Mischa Zverev in the third round. Should he reach quarters, Nadal could face Del Potro or even Murray.