Federer to start against Lajovic, Williams vs. Rus

[June 29, 2018]  By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Defending champion Roger Federer will begin his quest for a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title with a first-round clash against Serbian world number 57 Dusan Lajovic.

The 36-year-old Swiss, seeded one, appears to have been given a smoothish route to the latter rounds, though in-form third seed Marin Cilic, who he beat in last year's final, could be waiting in the semi-final this time.

Seven-times women's champion Serena Williams was handed a comfortable-looking first-round draw after being paired with 107th ranked Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus.

The 36-year-old American, who has played only a handful of matches this year after giving birth last September, is seeded 25th after being bumped up from her world ranking of 183.

It could soon get harder for Williams, though. Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, the fifth seed, lies in wait as a potential third-round opponent.

Defending women's champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain will play Briton Naomi Broady in the first round while Venus Williams, runner-up last year, takes on Swede Johanna Larsson.

MURRAY RETURN?

Men's second seed Rafael Nadal, champion in 2008 and 2010, starts against Israel's Dudi Sela while three-time champion Novak Djokovic faces American Tennys Sandgren.

British favorite Andy Murray, still a doubt for the tournament as he makes a comeback from nearly a year out with a hip injury, is unseeded and was drawn to play Benoit Paire.

Twice champion Murray, whose last Grand Slam match win came against Paire in the fourth round of last year's Wimbledon, could face Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov in round two and Argetine Juan Martin del Potro in round three.

The biggest match of the men's first round will be sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov's tussle with three-times Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who is unseeded after an injury break.

Women's top seed Simona Halep will play Japan's Kurumi Nara in the first round.

Switzerland's Roger Federer after losing the final against Croatia's Borna Coric REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

The Romanian world number one, who claimed her first Grand Slam title at the French Open this month, could face a rematch with Britain's Johanna Konta in the fourth round, having lost an epic quarter-final last year.

Halep's potential quarter-final opponent is two-times champion Petra Kvitova, with third seed Muguruza seeded to play against her in the semis.

Women's second seed Caroline Wozniacki starts against American Varvara Lepchenko.

FAVOURABLE FOR FEDERER

Federer and Nadal, who contested a memorable final 10 years ago and are again dominating men's tennis, can have few complaints about their draws.

Federer could face 94th-ranked Lukas Lacko or 285th-ranked Benjamin Bonzi in round two and his first seeded opponent would be 32nd seed Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in round three.

Nadal, who has been vulnerable on the Wimbledon lawns in recent years, will be a little more wary.

Surprise French Open semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato, seeded 29, or German serve-and-volleyer Mischa Zverev could await in the third round. Should he reach the quarter-final, Nadal could face Del Potro or even Murray.

Federer will open Centre Court action on Monday while Serena Williams also starts on Monday.

Murray will have a Tuesday start against Paire, giving him an extra day to assess his fitness.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Louise Heavens and David Goodman)

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