Britain&#39;s Andy Murray advanced to the men&#39;s Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. 
 
In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori&#39;s serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. 
 
Though Nishikori&#39;s speed allowed him to punch back against Murray&#39;s blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray&#39;s serve. 
 
In Sunday&#39;s gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain&#39;s Rafa Nadal or Argentina&#39;s Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. 
 
Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland&#39;s Roger Federer in the final. 
 
But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. 
 
Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men&#39;s doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. 
 
If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men&#39;s singles and doubles at a Games. 
 
(Reuters)

In tomorrow's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro

Britain's Andy Murray advanced to the men's Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori's serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. Though Nishikori's speed allowed him to punch back against Murray's blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray's serve. In Sunday's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the final. But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men's doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men's singles and doubles at a Games. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Murray advances to final to defend London gold

Australia&#39;s Nick Kyrgios dethroned John Isner by beating the three-time defending champ 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in the Atlanta Open final to win his second ATP Tour crown. 
 
The second seeded Kyrgios needed one hour and 47 minutes to win his first career match over Isner and snap the hard-serving American&#39;s 15-match winning streak. 
 
&quot;Returning is very crucial against John,&quot; said Kyrgios. &quot;That serve is world class.&quot; 
 
The 21-year-old Kyrgios also improved to 2-1 in ATP Tour finals. His only other title came in February at the Marseille indoor tournament. 
 
Kyrgios, of Canberra, had his back against the wall Sunday in his opening service game when he faced three break points. He saved them all and then won five straight points to hold serve. 
 
Kyrgios will rise to a career high ranking of 16 with this win. He lost to Isner at ATP Tour tournaments in Madrid and Montreal last year. 
 
Isner was seeking to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles which would have allowed him to join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Kei Nishikori. 
 
He has appeared in the Atlanta final in six of the tournament&#39;s seven years, also finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish in both 2010-11. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The Australian ended Isner's 15-match winning streak and the dream to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles

Australia's Nick Kyrgios dethroned John Isner by beating the three-time defending champ 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in the Atlanta Open final to win his second ATP Tour crown. The second seeded Kyrgios needed one hour and 47 minutes to win his first career match over Isner and snap the hard-serving American's 15-match winning streak. "Returning is very crucial against John," said Kyrgios. "That serve is world class." The 21-year-old Kyrgios also improved to 2-1 in ATP Tour finals. His only other title came in February at the Marseille indoor tournament. Kyrgios, of Canberra, had his back against the wall Sunday in his opening service game when he faced three break points. He saved them all and then won five straight points to hold serve. Kyrgios will rise to a career high ranking of 16 with this win. He lost to Isner at ATP Tour tournaments in Madrid and Montreal last year. Isner was seeking to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles which would have allowed him to join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Kei Nishikori. He has appeared in the Atlanta final in six of the tournament's seven years, also finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish in both 2010-11. (AFP)

Atlanta Open: Nick Kyrgios dethrones defending champion John Isner to win second ATP Tour finals

Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten record against Frenchman Gael Monfils with a 6-3 6-2 win in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Saturday, while Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori also reached the final after beating Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka. 
 
World number one Djokovic, now 12-0 against Monfils, has the opportunity to become the tournament&#39;s first four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in today&#39;s final. 
 
Nishikori came from 2-5 down in the opening set to stun Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-1 in the first semi-final at the Aviva Centre. 
 
Monfils came into the semi-finals having won nine straight matches, including the Citi Open title in Washington, DC last Sunday.&nbsp;Djokovic overcame a service break in the third game and was dialled in the rest of the way in the 74-minute match. 
 
The Serb evaluated his play as his best of the week.&nbsp;Djokovic is 9-2 against Nishikori, and has won their last eight meetings, including the hard-court final in Miami earlier this year. 
 
&quot;It is going to be a great match and I&#39;m hoping to have another great performance as I have tonight,&quot; Djokovic said in a courtside interview. 
 
Nishikori is seeking his first ATP Masters 1000 title after reaching the third final of his career in the elite events. 
 
Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who has won 14 ATP World Tour titles, became increasingly dispirited as he lost 11 of the last 13 games after squandering four set points in that opening set. 
 
Nishikori, serving at 40-0, sealed victory on the first of his three match points when an overhead smash prompted an unforced error from his opponent, ending an encounter that lasted just under an hour-and-a-half. 
 
Results: 
 
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 10-Gael Monfils (France) 6-3 6-2 
 
3-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat 2-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 7-6(6) 6-1 
 
(Reuters)

Novak Djokovic can become the tournament's first ever four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in Sunday's final

Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten record against Frenchman Gael Monfils with a 6-3 6-2 win in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Saturday, while Japan's Kei Nishikori also reached the final after beating Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka. World number one Djokovic, now 12-0 against Monfils, has the opportunity to become the tournament's first four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in today's final. Nishikori came from 2-5 down in the opening set to stun Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-1 in the first semi-final at the Aviva Centre. Monfils came into the semi-finals having won nine straight matches, including the Citi Open title in Washington, DC last Sunday. Djokovic overcame a service break in the third game and was dialled in the rest of the way in the 74-minute match. The Serb evaluated his play as his best of the week. Djokovic is 9-2 against Nishikori, and has won their last eight meetings, including the hard-court final in Miami earlier this year. "It is going to be a great match and I'm hoping to have another great performance as I have tonight," Djokovic said in a courtside interview. Nishikori is seeking his first ATP Masters 1000 title after reaching the third final of his career in the elite events. Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who has won 14 ATP World Tour titles, became increasingly dispirited as he lost 11 of the last 13 games after squandering four set points in that opening set. Nishikori, serving at 40-0, sealed victory on the first of his three match points when an overhead smash prompted an unforced error from his opponent, ending an encounter that lasted just under an hour-and-a-half. Results: 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 10-Gael Monfils (France) 6-3 6-2 3-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat 2-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 7-6(6) 6-1 (Reuters)

Djokovic beats Monfils, heads to Rogers Cup final

Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka advanced into the semi-finals at the Rogers Cup with a comprehensive 6-1 6-3 victory over big-serving South African Kevin Anderson at the Aviva Centre in Toronto yesterday. 
 
Wawrinka raced into a 4-0 lead as he swept through the opening set in 30 minutes, and then overcame tougher resistance by Anderson in the second before wrapping up the win in one hour, 14 minutes. 
 
The 31-year-old from Lausanne, who hit 14 winners and lost only five of his first service points, will next face Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori, who battled past unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 3-6 6-2 in the last eight. 
 
&quot;I started really well from the first game,&quot; said Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who is seeking his 15th ATP World Tour title. &quot;It showed me that I was ready, aggressive, moving really well. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s one of the best matches of the year I played, I think. I was calm. Serving really good. Mixing a lot. I was reading the game well, good in defence and found a way to come back and attack.&quot; 
 
Nishikori, who reached the final in Miami and the last four in both Madrid and Rome in ATP Masters 1000 events earlier this season, beat Dimitrov in a see-sawing encounter that lasted just over two hours. 
 
Later yesterday, top-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic was scheduled to meet Czech fifth seed Tomas Berdych before local favourite Milos Raonic, the fourth seed, takes on Frenchman Gael Monfils. 
 
(Reuters)

Nishikori beat Dimitrov in a see-sawing encounter that lasted over two hours. Wawrinka will next face Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori

Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka advanced into the semi-finals at the Rogers Cup with a comprehensive 6-1 6-3 victory over big-serving South African Kevin Anderson at the Aviva Centre in Toronto yesterday. Wawrinka raced into a 4-0 lead as he swept through the opening set in 30 minutes, and then overcame tougher resistance by Anderson in the second before wrapping up the win in one hour, 14 minutes. The 31-year-old from Lausanne, who hit 14 winners and lost only five of his first service points, will next face Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori, who battled past unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 3-6 6-2 in the last eight. "I started really well from the first game," said Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who is seeking his 15th ATP World Tour title. "It showed me that I was ready, aggressive, moving really well. "It's one of the best matches of the year I played, I think. I was calm. Serving really good. Mixing a lot. I was reading the game well, good in defence and found a way to come back and attack." Nishikori, who reached the final in Miami and the last four in both Madrid and Rome in ATP Masters 1000 events earlier this season, beat Dimitrov in a see-sawing encounter that lasted just over two hours. Later yesterday, top-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic was scheduled to meet Czech fifth seed Tomas Berdych before local favourite Milos Raonic, the fourth seed, takes on Frenchman Gael Monfils. (Reuters)

Wawrinka, Nishikori reach semi-finals at Rogers Cup

Top seed Novak Djokovic breezed into the quarter-finals as the Rogers Cup continued pretty much according to script at the Aviva Centre on Thursday. 
 
Djokovic beat Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-2 6-4 in a friendly encounter, during which both players repeatedly hammed it up for the crowd. 
 
Djokovic is the only member of the so-called &quot;big four&quot; competing in Toronto, with last year&#39;s champion Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all absent from the $4.7 million event. 
 
In a tournament so far devoid of major upsets, the top five seeds advanced to the quarters, with Swiss Stan Wawrinka, Japanese Kei Nishikori, Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Tomas Berdych booking last eight berths. 
 
Only Berdych needed three sets to progress and the fifth seed&#39;s reward is a showdown against Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head by a staggering 24-2 margin. 
 
Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock, 7-6(3) 6-2. 
 
Next up for the two-time grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the 12th seeded Australian Bernard Tomic. 
 
Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, requiring just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. 
 
&quot;The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit,&quot; Nishikori, who next plays Bulgaria&#39;s Grigor Dimitrov, told reporters. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We&#39;ll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good.&quot; 
 
A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 minor upset of Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. 
 
The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play Raonic in the quarters, after the local favourite dusted off American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-3. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m going for the shots,&quot; Wimbledon runner-up Raonic said. 
 
(Reuters)

Novak Djokovic is the only member of the so-called 'big four' who is competing in Toronto

Top seed Novak Djokovic breezed into the quarter-finals as the Rogers Cup continued pretty much according to script at the Aviva Centre on Thursday. Djokovic beat Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-2 6-4 in a friendly encounter, during which both players repeatedly hammed it up for the crowd. Djokovic is the only member of the so-called "big four" competing in Toronto, with last year's champion Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all absent from the $4.7 million event. In a tournament so far devoid of major upsets, the top five seeds advanced to the quarters, with Swiss Stan Wawrinka, Japanese Kei Nishikori, Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Tomas Berdych booking last eight berths. Only Berdych needed three sets to progress and the fifth seed's reward is a showdown against Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head by a staggering 24-2 margin. Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock, 7-6(3) 6-2. Next up for the two-time grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the 12th seeded Australian Bernard Tomic. Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, requiring just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. "The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit," Nishikori, who next plays Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, told reporters. "I'm still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We'll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good." A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 minor upset of Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play Raonic in the quarters, after the local favourite dusted off American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-3. "I'm going for the shots," Wimbledon runner-up Raonic said. (Reuters)

Djokovic domination continues, enters Toronto quarters

Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals at the Rogers Cup with a 7-6(3) 6-2 triumph. 
 
Wawrinka and Sock held serve throughout the first set to force a tiebreak that was won easily by Wawrinka, who went on to dominate the second set where he charged out to a 4-0 lead, and dropped just five points on serve to take the match. 
 
Next up for the two-times grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 upset win over number 12 seed Bernard Tomic of Australia. 
 
Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, as he needed just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. 
 
&quot;The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit,&quot; said Nishikori.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We&#39;ll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good.&quot; 
 
A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 upset over Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. 
 
The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play either Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic or American qualifier Jared Donaldson in the last eight. 
 
(Reuters)

Stan Wawrinka prevailed over Jack Sock at the Rogers Cup with a 7-6(3), 6-2 triumph

Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals at the Rogers Cup with a 7-6(3) 6-2 triumph. Wawrinka and Sock held serve throughout the first set to force a tiebreak that was won easily by Wawrinka, who went on to dominate the second set where he charged out to a 4-0 lead, and dropped just five points on serve to take the match. Next up for the two-times grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 upset win over number 12 seed Bernard Tomic of Australia. Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, as he needed just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. "The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit," said Nishikori. "I'm still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We'll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good." A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 upset over Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play either Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic or American qualifier Jared Donaldson in the last eight. (Reuters)

Wawrinka advances to Toronto quarter-finals

Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori pulled out of Wimbledon mid-way through his last 16 match against Marin Cilic on Monday, suffering from a rib injury. 
 
An off-colour Nishikori consulted the trainer and doctor during the fourth round contest on Court Two and finally retired from the match at 6-1, 5-1 down. 
 
He confirmed it was the same injury which forced him out of the Halle tourament in the run-up to Wimbledon. 
 
&quot;It got worse after the second round. I couldn&#39;t compete today,&quot; said Nishikori. 
 
Croatian ninth seed Cilic now faces either seven-time champion Roger Federer or Steve Johnson of the United States in Wednesday&#39;s quarter-finals. 
 
Nishikori&#39;s troubles were evident during the first set, when he found himself 5-0 down within 10 minutes, having won just two points as Cilic hit 10 aces. 
 
The Japanese did win one service game but by the end of the 16-minute set, he had hit just two winners to 18 from his opponent. 
 
He did manage to break Cilic early in the second set but could not stop the slump. 
 
In the breaks of play, 26-year-old Nishikori looked forlorn, with his head down, staring at the ground. 
 
He had his head in his hands after serving a double fault to go 4-1 down in the second set, after which his coaching staff -- including former French Open champion Michael Chang -- pleaded with him to call it quits. 
 
Nishikori called for the trainer and the doctor and was given some pills. 
 
After one more game he shook hands with his opponent. 
 
Nishikori hit just five winners in the match to 28 from Cilic, and his fastest serve was at only 103 miles per hour. He had managed to get just 35 per cent of his returns in play. 
 
Nishikori also withdrew from last year&#39;s Wimbledon in the second round with a left calf injury. 
 
He was bidding to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in seven attempts -- the only one of the four majors where he has yet to make the last eight. 
 
Nishikori was bidding to become only the second Japanese man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, after Shuzo Matsuoka in 1995. 
 
He was the last Asian player left in the tournament after compatriot Misaki Doi was beaten in the women&#39;s last 16 by Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the preceding match on the 4,000-seater Court Two show court. 
 
Cilic, who beat Nishikori in the 2014 US Open final, has now reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals three times in a row, while Monday was the second time Nishikori had made it to the last 16. 
 
(AFP)

Nishikori also withdrew from last year's Wimbledon in the second round with a left calf injury

Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori pulled out of Wimbledon mid-way through his last 16 match against Marin Cilic on Monday, suffering from a rib injury. An off-colour Nishikori consulted the trainer and doctor during the fourth round contest on Court Two and finally retired from the match at 6-1, 5-1 down. He confirmed it was the same injury which forced him out of the Halle tourament in the run-up to Wimbledon. "It got worse after the second round. I couldn't compete today," said Nishikori. Croatian ninth seed Cilic now faces either seven-time champion Roger Federer or Steve Johnson of the United States in Wednesday's quarter-finals. Nishikori's troubles were evident during the first set, when he found himself 5-0 down within 10 minutes, having won just two points as Cilic hit 10 aces. The Japanese did win one service game but by the end of the 16-minute set, he had hit just two winners to 18 from his opponent. He did manage to break Cilic early in the second set but could not stop the slump. In the breaks of play, 26-year-old Nishikori looked forlorn, with his head down, staring at the ground. He had his head in his hands after serving a double fault to go 4-1 down in the second set, after which his coaching staff -- including former French Open champion Michael Chang -- pleaded with him to call it quits. Nishikori called for the trainer and the doctor and was given some pills. After one more game he shook hands with his opponent. Nishikori hit just five winners in the match to 28 from Cilic, and his fastest serve was at only 103 miles per hour. He had managed to get just 35 per cent of his returns in play. Nishikori also withdrew from last year's Wimbledon in the second round with a left calf injury. He was bidding to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in seven attempts -- the only one of the four majors where he has yet to make the last eight. Nishikori was bidding to become only the second Japanese man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, after Shuzo Matsuoka in 1995. He was the last Asian player left in the tournament after compatriot Misaki Doi was beaten in the women's last 16 by Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the preceding match on the 4,000-seater Court Two show court. Cilic, who beat Nishikori in the 2014 US Open final, has now reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals three times in a row, while Monday was the second time Nishikori had made it to the last 16. (AFP)

Japanese 5th seed Kei Nishikori pulls out of Wimbledon

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were on Friday drawn to meet in the semi-finals of this year&#39;s Wimbledon which starts on Monday. 
 
World number one Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club. 
 
The draw means that second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, was lined up for a semi-final against fourth seeded Stan Wawrinka. 
 
Three-time champion Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open earlier this month and now holds all four majors. It was his 12th career major and made him the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens in the same year. The 29-year-old Serb begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight. 
 
Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia&#39;s Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarter-final rival. 
 
Federer, seeded three but enduring an injury-hit season, starts against Argentina&#39;s Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world. The 34-year-old Swiss, the holder of a record 17 majors, could face Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. 
 
If seedings play out, Wawrinka would come up against in-form Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four. 
 
Defending women&#39;s champion Serena Williams, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title to equal Steffi Graf&#39;s Open era record of 22 majors, was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four. Radwanska made the final in 2012. 
 
Reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams to claim the trophy, could face Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the last-four. Muguruza begins against Italy&#39;s Camila Giorgi. 
 
The women&#39;s draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with Serena&#39;s sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw. 
 
Venus, 36 and a five-time champion, is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight while Serena could come up against Italy&#39;s Roberta Vinci who dumped her out of the US Open semi-finals in 2015. 
 
In other potential quarter-finals, Radwanska could meet Belinda Bencic while Kerber was drawn to face Simona Halep. Serena starts against a qualifier and will face either fellow American Christina McHale or Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second round. 
 
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova meets Romania&#39;s Sorana Cirstea in her opener. British number one Johanna Konta, the first home seed in the women&#39;s draw since 1984, takes on Monica Puig in the first round. 
 
(AFP)

Djokovic begins his campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last eight

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were on Friday drawn to meet in the semi-finals of this year's Wimbledon which starts on Monday. World number one Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club. The draw means that second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, was lined up for a semi-final against fourth seeded Stan Wawrinka. Three-time champion Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open earlier this month and now holds all four majors. It was his 12th career major and made him the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens in the same year. The 29-year-old Serb begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight. Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarter-final rival. Federer, seeded three but enduring an injury-hit season, starts against Argentina's Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world. The 34-year-old Swiss, the holder of a record 17 majors, could face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. If seedings play out, Wawrinka would come up against in-form Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four. Defending women's champion Serena Williams, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 majors, was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four. Radwanska made the final in 2012. Reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams to claim the trophy, could face Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the last-four. Muguruza begins against Italy's Camila Giorgi. The women's draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with Serena's sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw. Venus, 36 and a five-time champion, is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight while Serena could come up against Italy's Roberta Vinci who dumped her out of the US Open semi-finals in 2015. In other potential quarter-finals, Radwanska could meet Belinda Bencic while Kerber was drawn to face Simona Halep. Serena starts against a qualifier and will face either fellow American Christina McHale or Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second round. Two-time champion Petra Kvitova meets Romania's Sorana Cirstea in her opener. British number one Johanna Konta, the first home seed in the women's draw since 1984, takes on Monica Puig in the first round. (AFP)

World champion Djokovic, Federer drawn for Wimbledon semi-final clash

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