Federer, Nadal likely to meet in semis of French Open

World number one Roger Federer and the Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal might meet each other in a much-awaited encounter at the French Open grand slam after the draw was held in Tenniseum of Roland Garros on Friday.

The top seed Federer, having good chances of reaching the last four, will face 2-0year-old Robin Soderling, who was crashed out of the tournament in the first round in his only appearance here.

On Federer's path to the last four, his potential opponents include Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, seeded 25th and former French Open champion Carlos Moya, seeded 14th before seventh-seeded Tim Henman or 10th seed clay specialist David Nalbandian ahead of his possible clash against two Masters winner Nadal.

The draw, however, was not kind to Nadal who may be met with the challenge from his fellow 18-year-old Richard Gasquet as early as third round. The French teenager, on rapid rise this season, stunned Federer in the quarterfinals at Monte Carlo Masters before he streched the Swiss world number one into three sets in Hamburg Masters final.

Should Nadal ovecome Gasquet, he might be confronted defending champion Gaston Gaudio in the quarterfinals before the Majorcan could cross swords with Federer.

Last year's finalist Guillermo Coria, seeded eighth, cannot enjoy a better draw in the other half as the 23-year-old Argentine

stands as the sole clay specialist until the quarterfinals where he might run into former French Open Juan Carlos Ferrero or Australian Open titlist Marat Safin with both the two struggling for form.

Second seed Andy Roddick was another guy bestowed a lucky draw as the American will have a good chance of going past third round and looks like to meet his compatriot Andre Agassi in the quarterfinals if the latter can get past potential Jonas Bjorkman, Nicolas Kiefer and then maybe ninth seed Guillermo Canas from Agentina.

The women's singles draw might see world number one Lindsay Davenport take on Swiss Patty Schnyder while defending champion Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva in an all-Russian quarterfinal.

French hope Amelie Mauresmo, seeded third, might be face with stiff challenge from Russian Nadia Petrova and Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova will be in a possible fight against fellow RussianSvetlana Kuznetsova in another quarterfinal.

2002 French Open winner Serena Williams pulled out of the tournament citing ankle injury and Chinese top women's player Li Naalso quit due to ankle strain.

The French Open will kick off on Monday.

Source: Xinhua