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French Open draw announced: Murray to play qualifier in first round

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Andy Murray will face a qualifier in his opening match at Roland Garros, as the Brit attempts to win his third grand slam title of his career.

Should the world number two progress through the draw, he could face big servers Ivo Karlovic and John Isner before booking a potential quarter final against Kei Nishikori. Stan Wawrinka, the defending champion, lurks as a semi-final opponent for Murray but will need to navigate past the dangerous Lukas Rosol in his first round tie.

Novak Djokovic, placed in the opposite side of the draw to Murray, will face Lu Yen-hsun in his opener as the Serbian seeks his first Roland Garros title, but he may need to overcome Tomas Berdych in the quarters and nine times champion Rafael Nadal in a potential blockbuster semi-final if the world number one is to reach the final.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, who is seeded fourth for the tournament due to Roger Federer’s withdrawal, will get his campaign underway against Australia’s Sam Groth, but Fabio Fognini, Dominic Thiem and home favourite Jo Wilfried Tsonga all loom as difficult tests in the Spaniard’s section of the draw.

On the women’s side, Serena Williams will open the defence of her title against Magdalena Rybarikova, and could face Ana Ivanovic, Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals, and Angelique Kerber in the semis if the American is to reach the final. Should Williams reach the final, she may have to battle against Simona Halep or Agnieszka Radwanska, who are both in the opposite side of the draw.

As for the Brits, Kyle Edmund and Aljaz Bedene are scheduled to play qualifiers in their respective first round encounters, whilst Heather Watson will meet Nicole Gibbs, and Naomi Broady will play Coco Vandeweghe. However, Johanna Konta has been handed a tough opener against Julia Goerges and Laura Robson similarly has a difficult opening match with Andrea Petkovic.

Along with the withdrawals of Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki and Belinda Bencic, Gael Monfils has also pulled out of the clay court tournament due to a viral infection.

French Open 2016 Novak Djokovic Rafa Nadal roland garros Serena Williams

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