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New York • Defending champion Andy Murray could face top-seeded Novak Djokovic only in the semifinals at the U.S. Open, while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer — who have never played each other at Flushing Meadows — might meet in the quarterfinals.
Murray earned his first Grand Slam championship by beating Djokovic in the 2012 U.S. Open final, then added a second by beating the No. 1-ranked Serb in the Wimbledon title match last month. But there can't be a rematch in New York in the final, thanks to Thursday's draw.
"Coming to the U.S. Open last year, I'd never won a Grand Slam. I didn't know if I was ever going to win one," Murray said at the draw ceremony. "A lot of people would say ... like, 'He's good enough to win a Grand Slam. He's going to win one.' But the more finals you lose in, the more you start to doubt yourself. Getting that weight off my shoulders last year was huge."
In addition to No. 2 Nadal against No. 7 Federer, the other possible men's quarterfinals are 2011 champion Djokovic vs. 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro, No. 3 Murray vs. No. 5 Tomas Berdych, and No. 4 David Ferrer vs. No. 8 Richard Gasquet.