Djokovic v Federer is potential semi

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Roger Federer has been placed in Novak Djokovic’s half of the draw for the Internazionali BNL D’Italia while Rafael Nadal could meet fit-again Andy Murray in the semi-finals.

Federer, currently competing in the latter stages of the Mutua Madrid Open, will have to beat in-form Janko Tipsarevic before a potential meeting with reigning champion Djokovic, who could face tricky opposition in round two in the shape of Bernard Tomic while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is not an easy possible quarter-final opponent.

Nadal, the five times winner here in Rome, may face Tomas Berdych in the quarters. Murray, who has been suffering with a back injury, is likely to face Argentina’s David Nalbandian first up, not the easiest opponent on the driven Britain’s return. He could then face another clay court specialist in David Ferrer.

Undoubtedly the tie of the second round looks like being Fernando Verdasco against Juan Martin Del Potro.

Potential quarter-finals:
Djokovic – Tsonga
Federer – Tipsarevic
Ferrer – Murray
Berdych - Nadal

First Round Draw
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d Bye
B Tomic (AUS) vs. Qualifier
R Stepanek (CZE) vs. J Chela (ARG)
Qualifier vs. [14] J Monaco (ARG)
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) vs. M Llodra (FRA)
T Bellucci (BRA) vs. M Youzhny (RUS)
V Troicki (SRB) vs. [WC] F Volandri (ITA)
[5] J Tsonga (FRA) d Bye
[3] R Federer (SUI) d Bye
Qualifier vs. C Berlocq (ARG)
K Anderson (RSA) vs. J Ferrero (ESP)
A Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) vs. [13] G Monfils (FRA)
[9] J Isner (USA) vs. P Kohlschreiber (GER)
A Seppi (ITA) vs. D Istomin (UZB)
S Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Qualifier
[8] J Tipsarevic (SRB) d Bye
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) d Bye
F Verdasco (ESP) vs. A Dolgopolov (UKR)
Qualifier vs. P Andujar (ESP)
D Young (USA) vs. [11] G Simon (FRA)
[16] R Gasquet (FRA) vs. J Melzer (AUT)
N Davydenko (RUS) vs. [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA)
Qualifier vs. D Nalbandian (ARG)
[4] A Murray (GBR) d Bye
[7] T Berdych (CZE) d Bye
L Kubot (POL) vs. [WC] P Starace (ITA)
Qualifier vs. J Nieminen (FIN)
M Cilic (CRO) vs. [12] N Almagro (ESP)
[15] F Lopez (ESP) vs. M Granollers (ESP)
[WC] F Fognini (ITA) vs. M Baghdatis (CYP)
M Raonic (CAN) vs. F Mayer (GER)
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d Bye