PARIS — In his quest to complete a career Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic may have to beat nine-time champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open semifinals.

Djokovic, who will face 100th-ranked Lu Yen-hsun in the first round, was put in the same side of the draw as Nadal on Friday. The top-ranked Serb beat Nadal in the quarterfinals last year, the Spaniard’s second loss of his career at Roland Garros.

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray could meet in the other semifinal match.

In the women’s draw, Serena Williams’ attempt to equal Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 major titles includes a possible quarterfinal match against Victoria Azarenka.

Djokovic has lost in the final on the red clay in three of the last four years. But winning the French Open would give him four consecutive major championships, something no man has achieved since Rod Laver won a true Grand Slam in 1969.

“Of course the expectations are big not just from my side but from people around knowing that this is the only Grand Slam I never won,” Djokovic said.

“Of course people are very eager to find out whether or not I can make it this year, and that kind of anticipation existed and it was present also in the last couple of years.”

Djokovic arrives in Paris with a 37-3 record, but on the back of a loss to Murray in the Italian Open final. He won a title on clay this season in Madrid, defeating Murray in the final.

Murray is seeded second for the first time at Roland Garros and will face qualifier Radek Stepanek in his first match.


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