Djoker, Fed drawn for semis clash

London, June 24

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were today drawn to meet in the semifinals of this year’s Wimbledon which starts on Monday.

World No. 1 Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club.

The draw means that second seed Andy Murray was lined up for a semifinal against Stan Wawrinka. 

Djokovic begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight. Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarterfinal rival.

Federer starts against Argentina’s Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world.

The 34-year-old Swiss could face Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. If seedings play out, Wawrinka would come up against Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four. Defending women’s champion Serena Williams was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four.

Garbine Muguruza could face Angelique Kerber in the last-four.

Muguruza begins against Italy’s Camila Giorgi. The women’s draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw. Venus is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight. — AFP