World number one Rafael Nadal looks set for a tricky first week at Wimbledon with top seed Roger Federer having a potentially easier ride through to the quarter-finals after the draw for the third Grand Slam of the season made here on Friday.
The Spaniard opens against rising Japanese star Kei Nishikori in the first round but could face some problems in the second round against former top ten American James Blake, returning after three months out with a knee injury. Nadal, the 2008 champion and two-time runner-up, beat 20-year-old Nishikori in their only previous meeting on grass at Queen’s two years ago.
The Spaniard, who was unable to defend his title last year because of injury, also face challenges from Latvian Ernests Gulbis and Russian
Mikhail Youzhny, a player who has caused him problems in the past, before eventually meeting in the quarter-finals Sweden’s Robin Soderling whom he beat in the French Open final.
Federer, bidding for a record-equalling seventh title, will open his defence of his grass-court title against Colombia’s Alejandro Falla whom he meets for the third time in three tournaments after Roland Garros and Halle.
The world number two from Switzerland should have few problems against 65th-ranked Falla who has never progressed beyond the second round at the All England Club and whom he has beaten in all four of their previous meetings.
There is no major danger for the Swiss before the fourth round where he could meet Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who is capable of causing an upset on grass as he demonstrated by beating Nadal at Queen’s.
Defending women’s champion and top seed Serena Williams has been drawn in the first round against Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal.
Serena has 2004 winner Maria Sharapova and French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur in her half, while second seed Venus Williams is in the same half as Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.
Sania to face Kerber
Sania Mirza drew a tough customer in world number 55 Angelique Kerber of Germany as her first round opponent in the women’s singles main draw.
For the women’s doubles, Sania has partnered with Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki and they will open their campaign against the local pair of Anne Keothavong and Melanie South. Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles event, third seeds Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy will open their campaign against Rik De Voest of South Africa and Germany’s Mischa Zverev. — Agencies