Wimbledon draw hands Andy Murray Spanish test

Pa
Friday 17 June 2011 10:46 BST
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Wimbledon begins on Monday, with Murray looking to claim his first Grand Slam title
Wimbledon begins on Monday, with Murray looking to claim his first Grand Slam title (GETTY IMAGES)

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Andy Murray could have to overcome Andy Roddick and then defending champion Rafael Nadal if he is to reach his first Wimbledon final.

The British fourth seed was beaten by Nadal in last year's semi-finals and Roddick at the same stage in 2009.

Murray, who destroyed Roddick in straight sets en route to his second Queen's Club title last week, is due to face the American in the quarter-finals.

And if the results go to form, Nadal would then once again lie between Murray and a place in his first final in SW19.

Second seed Novak Djokovic and six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer are on the other side of the draw and are due to meet in the semi-final.

Murray will open his campaign against Spanish world number 56 Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who he beat two years ago in their only previous meeting on the senior tour.

But the first round match-up which caught everyone's attention at the All England Club - including Murray's - pitched John Isner against Nicolas Mahut in a repeat of last year's 11-hour marathon.

American Isner eventually won the longest match in tennis history 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7/9) 7-6 (7/3) 70-68.

Murray will play on Monday but his immediate reaction to the draw was not about his own match or prospects but the fact Isner and Mahut will lock horns again.

He Tweeted: "Isner v Mahut drawing each other in the first round after last year is the most amazing thing I've seen in tennis. Centre court anyone?!"

Elsewhere, British number two James Ward, who enjoyed a dream run to the semi-finals at Queen's Club last week, received a tough draw in world number 25 Michael Llodra.

Dan Cox plays Sergiy Stakhovsky and Daniel Evans will face 20th seed Florian Mayer.

Britain will be guaranteed a presence in the second round of the women's singles after the draw pitched Anne Keothavong against Naomi Broady.

Heather Watson will face Sweden's Mathilde Johansson while Laura Robson has drawn the German Angelique Kerber.

Emily Webley-Smith plays Klara Zakopalova and Katie O'Brien will be up against Kimiko Date-Krumm.

The British number one Elena Baltacha will open her campaign against a qualifier.

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