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Murray handed favourable draw in US Open

22/08/2008

Britain's Andy Murray has been drawn against world number 102 Sergio Roitman of Argentina in the first round of the US Open next week.

The number six seed has also avoided the possibility of facing either of the world's top two - Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer - until at least the semi-finals.

Murray's draw also means he avoids one of the other favourites in Serbia's Novak Djokovic, with his possible quarter-final opponent David Ferrer of Spain - who is the fourth seed.

Number one seed Nadal, who is at the top of the rankings for the first time at a grand slam event, will face an as-yet undetermined qualifier in the opening round.

Defending champion Roger Federer opens against Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina.

In the women's draw, Britain's Anne Keothavong has also been dealt a kind draw - facing a qualifier in the first round and avoiding a seed until at least the third round where she could be pitted against Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.

Top seed Ana Ivanovic will take on Russia's Vera Dushevina in the first round, while second seed Jelena Jankovic must compete against a partisan home crowd at Flushing Meadows when she takes on American wildcard Coco Vandeweghe.