Djokovic could face Nadal in French Open semi-finals

The world number one and number five are in the same bracket at the clay-court Grand Slam, which takes place in Paris from May 22 to June 5. The other bracket features Andy Murray and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.

The French Open Organizing Committee conducted the draw for the matches today, May 20.

Accordingly, Novak Djokovic begins his campaign to conquer the only Grand Slam title he is missing with a first-round match against Yen-Hsun of Taiwan.

Djokovic is still the number one candidate for this year's tournament.

The next potential opponents for the Serbian number one are a qualifier (round 2), Delbonis (round 3), Bautista (round 4), Berdych/Ferrer (quarter-finals). If Djokovic reaches the semi-finals, he could face the “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal.

Nadal is aiming for his tenth Roland Garros title at this tournament. The world number five will play his opening match against world number 95 Sam Groth.

In the other bracket, world number two Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka could clash in the semi-finals..

But to reach the last four, Murray will face many challenges, as his potential opponents are Karlovic (round 3), Isner (round 4), and world number six Nishikori (quarter-final). The Scottish world number two's first-round opponent is just a qualifier.

Stan Wawrinka begins his title defence with a first-round clash with Lukas Rosol. In Paris last year, the Swiss world number four upset Djokovic in the final.

Thus, the 2016 French Open final could be a match between the two 2015 finalists (Djokovic – Wawrinka), or it could be a battle between Djokovic – Andy Murray.

Before that, the quarter-finals could witness some tense matches:

Djokovic - Tomas Berdych, Rafael Nadal - Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Stan Wawrinka - Milos Raonic, and Murray - Kei Nishikori.

Nadal is showing signs of revival, and history awaits him ahead.

In the women's event, top seed Serena Williams begins her title defense against Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova.

Notable potential opponents for the American player are Ivanovic (fourth round), Azarenka (quarter-finals), Kerber (semi-finals), and Radwanska (final).

The French Open kicked off on Sunday, May 22 without Roger Federer. The world number three was forced to withdraw due to injury.

As a result, Nadal became the fourth seed of this tournament, and avoided the possibility of facing Djokovic earlier (in the quarter-finals).

Djokovic is the clear favourite to win the French Open this year. If he wins on June 5, he will be the defending champion of all four Grand Slams. No one has achieved that feat since Rod Laver in 1969.

On the women's side, the title is expected to be contested again between Serena Williams and the rest of the modern female tennis world. The American number one ended a nine-month title drought by winning the Italian Open last week.

USA Today believes Serena is likely to win her fourth title at the French Open alone, with Victoria Azarenka as the main threat this year.

According to VNE