The Malta Independent 3 May 2024, Friday
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Federer could face Nadal in quarters at Wimbledon

Malta Independent Friday, 21 June 2013, 11:43 Last update: about 11 years ago

Seven-time champion Roger Federer could face archrival Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

Friday's draw for the grass-court Grand Slam placed the third-seeded Federer and No. 5 Nadal in the same half. Federer is the defending champion at the All England Club, while Nadal is a two-time winner.

Home favorite Andy Murray, who is seeded No. 2, is also in the same bottom half and could meet Nadal or Federer in the semifinal.

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic is in the top half and has a much easier path to the final, facing a possible semifinal against No. 4 David Ferrer.

Last year, Federer won his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title by beating Murray in final. Murray, who beat Federer in the Olympic final at Wimbledon, will be bidding to become the first British player to win the men's title since Fred Perry in 1936.

The other possible men's quarterfinals are: Djokovic against No.7 Tomas Berdych; Ferrer vs. No. 8 Juan Martin Del Potro and Murray against No.6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Wimbledon's seeding order is determined using the ATP rankings and points are added for achievements in grass-court tournaments in the past 12 months.

Nadal, coming off his eighth French Open victory, has been seeded No. 5 after being sidelined for about seven months with a left knee injury following his surprise loss in the second round at Wimbledon last year.

Federer, Nadal and Murray will all play on Monday's opening day at Wimbledon.

Federer will open the defense of his title against Victor Hanescu of Romania, while Nadal will take on Steve Darcis of Belgium and Murray takes on Benjamin Becker of Germany.

Djokovic will start on Tuesday against Florian Mayer of Germany.

In the women's draw, five-time champion and top-seeded Serena Williams will open against Mandy Minella of Luxebourg. Second-seeded Victoria Azarenka has a first-round match against Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal.

 
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