Nadal, Djokovic on semi-final collision course at French Open

Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal was drawn in the same half as world number one Novak Djokovic on Friday as the Spanish claycourt machine chases a record eighth title at Roland Garros.
Third seed Nadal, who beat Djokovic in last year’s final, could face the Serbian in the semis.
“But is not in the first round, no?,” Nadal joked when asked how he felt about his potential meeting with Djokovic in a news conference.

Nadal has won five titles on clay this season after missing out on more than seven months of tennis and sitting out the U.S. and Australia Opens.
“If you can ask me if I win one grand slam during the whole year or win six tournaments like I already did, I will choose win six tournaments,” he said.
Nadal plays Daniel Brands of Germany in the first round and could face home hope Richard Gasquet in a potential quarter-final clash as the French men look to end a 30-year grand slam title drought.
Djokovic, who opens his Paris campaign against Belgian David Goffin, is also lined up for a possible third-round match against talented Bulgarian youngster Grigor Dimitrov.
Swiss Roger Federer, who has a record 17 grand slam titles to his name, has a smooth-looking path until a potential quarter-final against French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
World number two Andy Murray pulled out with back problems and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, ranked seventh, is also missing from the draw due to illness.
Canada’s Milos Raonic, the 14th seed in the tournament, takes on Xavier Malisse in the opening round. The 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., is 1-1 lifetime against the Belgian, having beaten him in straight sets the last time they faced each other on hard course in 2011 in San Jose. Raonic finds himself in the same bracket as fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
Jesse Levine of Ottawa is the only other Canadian with a direct entry into the tournament. He faces 13th seed Kei Nishikori in the opening round with a potential matchup against Nadal in the fourth round should he manage to advance that far. He’s 1-1 in Grand Slam appearances this year but 0-2 on clay this season.
Four other Canadians were attempting to reach the main draw via the qualifying route.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/nadal-djokovic-on-semi-final-collision-course-at-french-open/article12125296/