• French Open

Murray faces pain in Paris

ESPN staff
May 23, 2014
Andy Murray reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2011 © Getty Images
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Andy Murray has been handed a tough draw at the French Open with potential matches against Stanislas Wawrinka, Rafal Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the last three rounds.

Nadal has a target on his back in Paris

Rafael Nadal is seeking a ninth French Open © Getty Images
  • Chris Wilkinson believes Novak Djokovic could dethrone Rafael Nadal at the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
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The British No.1 should have a comfortable start against world No.55 Andrey Golubev, but if he is to win the Roland Garros tournament for the first time he will have to be at the top of his game.

Murray missed the French Open 12 months ago with a back injury that later required surgery and has never gone beyond the semi-finals.

Murray is in the same half of the draw as eight-time champion Nadal and is scheduled to meet the world No.1 in the last four.

He came close to toppling Nadal at the Rome Masters last week after losing out in a three-set thriller in the quarter-finals.

Serena set for Sharapova showdown

  • Defending women's champion Serena Williams begins against French wildcard Alize Lim but could face Maria Sharapova in the last eight.
  • Williams beat Sharapova in straight sets to win the French Open for a second time last year.
  • If Williams and her sister Venus win their first two matches, they will meet in the third round.

Murray's quarter-final doesn't t look a great deal easier, either, with a potential showdown with reigning Australian Open champion and Monte Carlo Masters winner Wawrinka.

If Murray was to reach the final, he is likely to face either Djokovic or Roger Federer - who have been placed in the other half of the draw and could meet in the semi-finals.

Nadal, bidding to become the first man to win five consecutive French Opens, will face wildcard Robby Ginepri in the opening round. Djokovic will take on Joao Sousa, with Federer is up against Lukas Lacko.

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