Federer, Djokovic pooled together

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-21  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

ROGER Federer could face No. 3-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals as he bids for a sixth straight Wimbledon title.

Djokovic, the Australian Open champion, was drawn into Federer's half of the bracket yesterday for the grasscourt grand slam tournament which starts on Monday.

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal, who lost to Federer in the past two finals, is in the other half of the draw. He could face two-time runner-up Andy Roddick in the semifinals.

Federer, who has won 59 straight matches on grass, will open play on Centre Court on Monday against Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia. Hrbaty, who reached a world ranking of No. 12 in 2004, has dropped to No. 272.

Federer has been the first player on Wimbledon's Centre Court and the last to leave in the last four tournaments, ever since his breakthrough major came on the grasscourts here in 2003.

The Swiss star has been almost untouchable on grass but there's an increasing sense that Federer is vulnerable after losing to Nadal and Djokovic at the last two majors.

After winning the French Open final in straights sets over Federer and backing it up with his first grasscourt title at Queen's last weekend, 22-year-old Nadal is growing in confidence despite losing the last two Wimbledon finals.

"To have two finals is a dream - for sure my dream (now) is going to be having a title there," the Spaniard said.

Djokovic is yet to capture a grasscourt title but did break Nadal's serve in each set of the Queen's final and did upset Federer in the semifinals at the Australian Open, where he went on to claim his first grand slam title.

The 21-year-old Serbian believes Federer's French Open defeat and lack of a major this season might be playing on his mind.