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Djokovic could face Federer in Wimbledon semifinals

ASSOCIATED PRESS

If Novak Djokovic wins Wimbleon and the U.S. Open to complete a true Grand Slam, he’ll have a fan in the last man to do it.

LONDON >> Defending champion Novak Djokovic could have to get past seven-time winner Roger Federer to reach the Wimbledon final.

Federer, seeded No. 3, was placed in Djokovic’s top half of the Wimbledon draw on Friday. That means Djokovic could face Federer in the semifinals as he bids for a fifth consecutive major title and the third leg of a calendar year Grand Slam.

The second-seeded Andy Murray could face No. 4 Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals.

Possible men’s quarterfinal matchups: Djokovic vs. Milos Raonic, Federer vs. Kei Nishikori, Wawrinka vs. Dominic Thiem, and Murray vs. Richard Gasquet.

Djokovic, a three-time Wimbledon champion who currently holds all four Grand Slam titles, will play Britain’s James Ward in the first round. Murray, the 2013 Wimbledon winner, will face fellow British player Liam Broady in round one.

Federer will open against Argentina’s Guido Pella.

The tournament opens Monday at the All England Club.

In the women’s draw, top-ranked defending champion Serena Williams could face third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals, with French Open winner Garbine Muguruza in line to play No. 4 Angelique Kerber.

Williams will open her bid for a seventh Wimbledon title against a qualifier or lucky loser to be determined.

Potential women’s quarterfinals: Williams vs. Roberta Vinci, Radwanska vs. Belinda Bencic, Kerber vs. Simona Halep, and Muguruza vs. Venus Williams.

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