French Open draw: Nadal faces Gerasimov, and Williams plays Ahn

Rafael Nadal, 34, will begin his bid for a record-extending 13th French Open title against Egor Gerasimov in the first round, while Serena Williams starts her attempt for a record-equaling 24th major against Kristie Ahn in an all-American matchup. Nadal, who is seeded second and has never faced the 83rd-ranked Belarusian, is aiming to equal the absent Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Sixthseeded Williams, who turns 39 Saturday, fell short in her bid to equal Margaret Court’s record at the U.S. Open, losing to Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals. Williams has won the French Open three times, the last in 2015.

Thursday’s draw also pitted topranked Novak Djokovic against No. 80 Mikael Ymer of Sweden in their first career meeting. Djokovic is trying again for an 18th major title. Stan Wawrinka, seeded 16th, faces another three-time major winner in Britain’s Andy Murray, the runner-up in 2016. Murray leads Wawrinka 12-8 overall but is still trying to get back to his best after hip surgery.

Dominic Thiem, who beat Alexander Zverev in five sets in the U.S. Open final for his first major, takes on Marin Cilic in their first meeting at Roland Garros. Thiem has lost the past two finals at Roland Garros to Nadal. Zverev plays Austrian Dennis Novak.

Top-seeded Simona Halep, the 2018 champion and two-time runner-up, faces Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo.

BECKER BANKRUPTCY: Former tennis star Boris Becker, 52, appeared in a London court Thursday, pleading not guilty to a string of criminal charges related to his bankruptcy case. Becker, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, is accused of not complying with orders to disclose financial information and hiding properties in the U.K. and Germany from bankruptcy trustees. He faces seven years in jail if convicted.