Tennis
Federer Faces Tough Draw in French Open
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Roger Federer will face American Michael Russell in the first round of the French Open, the only Grand Slam tournament he hasn't won.
In the draw yesterday, two-time defending champion Justine Henin of Belgium opens against Elena Vesnina of Russia, and No. 2 Maria Sharapova will play Emilie Loit of France.
Serena Williams will face Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria. Williams, who won the Australian Open, is looking for her second French Open title and first since 2002.
"The French Open is my number one priority," the eight-time Grand Slam winner said.
Federer, who has 10 Grand Slams titles, faces a potentially tough route to the final if he gets past the 71st-ranked Russell.
Fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko, No. 7 Ivan Ljubicic and No. 9 Tommy Robredo are in Federer's half of the draw, and the Swiss star faces a possible fourth-round match against 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, whose 81-match clay-court winning streak was snapped by Federer in the final of the Hamburg Masters, will open against 58th-ranked Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina.
"I feel good," Federer said. "I had a few days off after my win in Hamburg. Obviously, the feeling now is better than two weeks ago."
Nadal's first test could be against former two-time Grand Slam winner Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the fourth round.
Federer lost to Nadal in last year's final. Since then, he has won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. By winning the French, he would complete a career Grand Slam and a non-calendar Grand Slam.
Federer lost all five clay-court matches to Nadal before beating him for the first time on the surface in Hamburg.
-- From News Services
