The draw for the US Open Tennis Championships was made today and defending champion Andy Murray was given a first round tie against Frenchman Michael Llodra.
Llodra better known for his doubles play where he won at both Wimbledon (2007) and Australia (2003/04) has only ever got as far as the fourth round at Flushing Meadows in singles competition is not expected to trouble Murray and the Scot has a 3-0 record in his favour in past matches.
The interesting point of the draw was that Murray the number 3 seed has been put in the same half as Novac Djokovic meaning they are on course to meet in the Semi Finals and the prospect of a showdown with Rafael Nadal in the Final.
Djokovic plays Ricardas Berankis in the first round and will face his first tough match in the quarter final against Juan Martin del Potro if all goes to plan and then the winner should play Murray.
In the other half of the draw Rafael Nadal kicks off his tournament with a match against American Ryan Harrison which will create a good atmosphere on court, another home player John Isner is the same quarter of the draw as is Roger Federer who if successful will play Nadal in the last eight.
Federer who starts this tournament as the No 7 seed, his lowest for over a decade will be keen to show the world he still has what it takes and has been drawn against Grega Zemlja from Slovakia in his opening match. He could meet Sam Querrey the number 26 seed in round three on his way to a battle with Nadal in week two.
Latest Odds with Paddy Power:
- 11/5 N.Djokovic
- 11/4 R.Nadal
- 11/4 A. Murray
- 9/1 J.M del Potro
- 14/1 R.Federer
- 40/1 T.Berdych
- 66/1 J.Isner
- 80/1 D.Ferrer
- 100/1 Bar