US open to begin on August 31

World number one Roger Federer will begin his bid to win a record sixth consecutive U.S. Open against American wildcard Devin Britton after the draw was made on Thursday. Women's champion Serena Williams begins her campaign against American wildcard Alexa Glatch. Second seed Andy Murray, runner-up last year and chasing his first grand slam crown, could face third seed Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. Scot Murray will begin against Latvian Ernests Gulbis while Spaniard Nadal, who missed Wimbledon because of tendonitis in his knees, takes on Frenchman Richard Gasquet in one of the highlights of round one. Fourth seed Djokovic will play Croatian Ivan Ljubicic and former champion Andy Roddick, the leading American seed at number five, takes on Bjorn Phau of Germany in round one. In the women's event, Williams is seeded two behind world number one Dinara Safina and could face her sister Venus, the third seed, in the semi-finals. Russian Safina plays Australian wildcard Olivia Rogowska in the opening round while Venus takes on another Russian Vera Dushevina. The U.S. Open begins on Monday August 31.