Wimbledon 2015 Draw: Novak Djokovic Has Easier Road To Semifinals Than Rivals

LONDON — Defending champion Novak Djokovic avoided his three biggest traditional rivals in the Wimbledon draw Friday, as the other members of tennis’ “Big Four” all were placed on the opposite side.

Serena Williams had no such luck in the women’s draw, where she might have to get past three former No. 1s — sister Venus, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova — just to reach the final.

The draw at the All England Club set up a number of intriguing possibilities for the upcoming two weeks, especially with former champions Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal all grouped together in the bottom half of the men’s draw. Murray and Nadal could face each other in the quarterfinals, with Federer possible awaiting the winner in the semis.

The bottom half also includes former finalist Tomas Berdych and former semifinalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, leaving Djokovic facing a possible semifinal against Stan Wawrinka, the man who beat him in the French Open final.

Djokovic does face a potentially tricky start of the tournament, though, as he’ll open play on Centre Court on Monday against German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber and could face former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. Hewitt, the 2002 champion, is playing Wimbledon for the final time and always has enjoyed huge crowd support at the All England Club.

Another Australian, Bernard Tomic, then could await Djokovic in the third round, while Kei Nishikori is a potential quarterfinal opponent.

Two-time champion Nadal is seeded No. 10 this year after a disappointing season in which he lost at the French Open for just the second time in his career. He could face fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the fourth round.

Murray was given one of the toughest possible draws as he tries to win the tournament for a second time, with the home favorite potentially facing Tsonga in the fourth round, Nadal in the quarters, Federer in the semis and Djokovic in the final.

Federer will start his quest for a record eighth title against Damir Dzumhur and could face Berdych in the quarterfinals.

In the women’s tournament, top-ranked Williams could come up against sister Venus — also a five-time champion — in the fourth round, Azarenka in the quarterfinals and Sharapova in the semis in a tough upper half of the draw.

Williams, who is halfway toward a calendar-year Grand Slam, opens play against Margarita Gasparyan of Russia. Williams lost in the third round last year and the fourth round in 2013.

Defending champion Petra Kvitova is in the other half and could face Eugenie Bouchard, last year’s runner-up, in the quarterfinals.

Wimbledon odds: Djokovic, Serena favored >>

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