Draws for US Open 2014 announced; tough road for Djokovic, relatively easy path for Federer

Wimbledon finalists Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer could meet again in a Grand Slam final, but they have contrasting paths in the US Open 2014 draw

The draws for the 2014 US Open tournament, the last Grand Slam of the year, have been announced, and as usual there are plenty of unexpected match-ups in store for the fans.

No favours for top seed Djokovic

Men’s World No. 1 and top seed Novak Djokovic has been handed a relatively tough draw, with 2012 champion Andy Murray looming as his potential quarterfinal opponent. Before he gets there, however, the Serb might also have to battle past Sam Querrey in the third round and big-serving American giant John Isner in the fourth. If he manages to navigate all these obstacles and reach the semis, he could face the man who defeated him at this year’s Australian Open and almost did the same right here in 2013 – Stan Wawrinka.

Wawrinka for his part has a minefield of a draw himself; he starts against talented youngster Jiri Vesely, followed by tricky lefty Thomaz Belluci, and would likely have to play Milos Raonic for a spot in the semis. Before that, however, he might also have to do battle against resurgent veteran Tommy Robredo in the fourth round, who knocked out five-time champion Roger Federer last year.

Stars seem to be aligning again for five-time champion Federer

Speaking of Federer, the second seed will open his campaign against Marinko Matosevic, and could possibly face Croatian mammoth server Ivo Karlovic in the third round. Either Roberto Bautista Agut or Fabio Fognini could await in the fourth round, while this year’s Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov, who is often called ‘Baby Federer’, could meet the Swiss in the quarters.

On the surface, that does not look like a very daunting road for Federer, who many are calling the favourite after his recent run of form – he reached the Wimbledon and Toronto finals and won the Cincinnati Masters. That said, strange things can happen once the tournament gets underway, and there’s no guarantee that the Swiss will find the going easy.

The likely quarterfinalists in the third quarter are David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych, with the winner possibly getting a crack at Federer.

Familiar terrain for defending champion Serena

On the women’s side, defending champion and World No. 1 Serena Williams is surrounded by familiar faces in her quarter. She will take on her young and gifted compatriot Taylor Townsend first up, and could face another American – Vania King – in the second round. Samantha Stosur, the 2011 champion here (she defeated Serena in the final) could await in the fourth round, followed by Cincinnati finalist Ana Ivanovic in the quarterfinals.

Across Serena in the top half are Wimbledon finalists Petra Kvitova and Eugenie Bouchard, who could face off in the quarters. A potential Kvitova vs Victoria Azarenka fourth round could set Arthur Ashe stadium alight, as could the Round of 16 battle between the hard-hitting beauties Dominika Cibulkova and Bouchard.

Sharapova and Halep can’t seem to avoid each other

After three hard-fought battles already this year – all of which the Russian won – Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep are again drawn to face each other, this time in the quarters. Fifth seed Sharapova has a tough opening assignment – against countrywoman Maria Kirilenko – and could face either Andrea Petkovic or Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round.

Venus Williams, meanwhile, finds herself drawn against fellow veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm in the first round, and could face Sara Errani in the third. The winner of that match will likely get to have a go at the second seeded Halep, who on her part might have to dodge the bullets of Garbine Muguruza in the Round of 32.

Agnieszka Radwaska and Angelique Kerber will likely face off in the fouth quarterfinal.

In the absence of big stars Rafael Nadal and Li Na, who both pulled out of the tournament with injury, there were doubts whether the year’s last Slam would be captivating enough for casual spectators. The draw, however, seems to have guaranteed plenty of blockbuster clashes, and all eyes will be on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center when the action begins this Monday.