French Open draw: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on course for quarter-final collision

Reigning French Open champions Maria Sharapova, left, and Rafael Nadal, right, alongside President of the Federation Francaise de Tennis, Jean Gachassin, after the draw for the first round of the Roland Garros 2015 Tennis championships in Paris on May 22, 2015. Patrick Kovarik / AFPShow less

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and world number one Novak Djokovic were placed on a French Open quarter-final collision course in Friday’s draw.

Nadal is seeded a lowly sixth this year after slipping to seven in the rankings and as a result was always likely to face one of his major rivals in the last eight.

“It’s very strange,” said Nadal, promoted to the sixth seeding after the injury-enforced pull-out of Canada’s Milos Raonic. “It’s never happened before.

“But I have to play four matches to get to the quarter-finals. I have to be ready for the first round.”

Nadal defeated Djokovic in the 2012 and 2014 finals, but the top-seeded Serb, who turned 28 on Friday, is the overwhelming favourite for a maiden Roland Garros title this year.

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Djokovic goes into the French Open, which starts Sunday, riding a 22-match unbeaten streak and has already captured a fifth Australian Open and Masters titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome this year.

Djokovic, bidding to become only the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam, starts his campaign in Paris against experienced Finn Jarkko Nieminen while Nadal begins against French wildcard Quentin Halys.

The other potential quarter-finals could see second seed Roger Federer, the 2009 champion, face Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka.

Third seeded Andy Murray was drawn for a potential clash against David Ferrer while Tomas Berdych could tackle Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Federer, the 2009 champion, starts against a qualifier.

Murray is a potential semi-final opponent for Djokovic and Nadal with the Scot, the champion on clay in Madrid this year, starting against a qualifier.

Women’s draw

In the women’s singles, top seed Serena Williams was handed a tough draw which could see the American taking on old rival Victoria Azarenka and sister Venus before the quarter-finals.

Williams, the 2002 and 2013 champion, starts against a qualifier but could meet sister Venus in the last 16.

Two-time Australian Open winner and former number one Azarenka is a potential third round opponent for Williams.

Adding extra spice to the draw is the presence of bitter American rival Sloane Stephens in Serena’s half of the draw.

Stephens could face the two-time champion in the last 16 but she starts against Venus.

In contrast, second seeded defending champion Maria Sharapova starts against experienced Estonian Kaia Kanepi and could tackle Spanish claycourter Carla Sanchez Navarro in the quarter-finals.

Former number one Caroline Wozniacki is a possible last-eight opponent for Williams.

Third seed Simona Halep could meet Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard in the quarter-finals.

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