French Open begins Sunday
Published:Friday | May 22, 2009 | 12:50 PM
Sisters Serena and Venus Williams were placed in opposite sides of the French Open field today, while the men\'s semifinals could pit four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal against Andy Murray, and Roger Federer against Novak Djokovic.
The top-seeded Nadal, who is trying to become the first man to win five consecutive French Opens, will begin against a qualifier.
He could meet former Number One Lleyton Hewitt in the third round, and 14th-seeded David Ferrer in the fourth.
Federer\'s bid to tie Pete Sampras\' record of 14 career major singles title will start against Alberto Martin of Spain.
The third-ranked Murray\'s first opponent is Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina, whose four career tour titles all came on clay.
In the women’s draw, top-ranked Dinara Safina starts against Anne Keothavong of Britain.
The second-seeded Serena, one of two past women\'s champions in the draw will meet Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic in the first round.
The third-seeded Venus faces Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States in her opener.
The Williams sisters could only meet in the championship match. Serena beat Venus in the 2002 French Open final.
Play begins Sunday.