Djokovic avoids Federer, Murray, Nadal in Wimbledon draw

LONDON - Defending champion Novak Djokovic avoided his three biggest traditional rivals in the Wimbledon draw on Friday as the other members of tennis' "Big Four" were all placed on the opposite side.

Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal were all placed in a tougher bottom half of the draw that also includes former finalist Tomas Berdych and former semifinalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. That left Djokovic facing a possible semifinal against Stan Wawrinka, the man who beat him in the French Open final.

Two-time champion Nadal _ seeded only No. 10 this year _ could face 2013 winner Murray in the quarterfinals, with seven-time champion Federer possibly awaiting the winner in the semifinals.

Djokovic does face a potentially tricky start of the tournament, though, as he'll play German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round and could face Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt in the second.

In the women's tournament, top-ranked Serena Williams could face sister Venus in the fourth round, Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals and Maria Sharapova in the semis in a tough upper half of the draw.

Williams, who is halfway toward a calendar-year Grand Slam, opens play against Margarita Gasparyan of Russia. Defending champion Petra Kvitova is in the other half, and could face last year's runner-up Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the quarterfinals.

Murray was given one of the toughest possible draws as he tries to win the tournament for a second time, with the home favorite potentially facing Tsonga in the fourth round, Nadal in the quarters, Federer in the semis and Djokovic in the final.

Federer will start his quest for a record eighth title against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina and could face Berdych in the quarterfinals.