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LONDON - Swiss top seed Roger Federer will begin his quest for a record-equalling fifth consecutive Wimbledon men's singles title against Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili.
The draw for the grasscourt grand slam, which starts on Monday, also paired Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal against American Mardy Fish. Third seed Andy Roddick, who landed in the same half of the draw as Federer, faces an all-American encounter against Justin Gimelstob.
France's Amelie Mauresmo begins the defence of her title on Tuesday against American Jamea Jackson while Belgian top seed Justine Henin starts against Argentine qualifier Jorgelina Cravero. Mauresmo and Henin could meet in the final again, as they did last year.
Russia's Maria Sharapova, the second seed and 2004 champion, plays Chinese Taipei's Chan Yung-jan while twice champion Serena Williams of the United States was drawn against Lourdes Dominguez-Lino of Spain.
In-form Serb Jelena Jankovic, seeded three, is up against British wildcard Anne Keothavong in the first round and a possible semi-final against Henin is on the horizon.
Federer, who can emulate Bjorn Borg's five in a row at Wimbledon, should not be unduly troubled against Gabashvili although things could get tougher in the third round where he could meet another Russian, former world number one Marat Safin.
American ninth seed James Blake could be Federer's opponent in the quarter-finals, although powerhouse Russian Dmitry Tursunov and Chilean fifth seed Fernando Gonzalez are also lurking in that section of the draw.
Nadal, who captured a hat-trick of French titles earlier this month, looks to have a slightly easier path to the latter stages, although 36th ranked Fish is a tricky opener.
With Serbian Novak Djokovic in his half of the draw, the duo could face a repeat of their Roland Garros semi-final.
The fourth seeded Djokovic will be wary of a possible third-round clash with the giant-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic, one of the most dangerous non-seeds in the draw.
Australian Lleyton Hewitt, winner in 2002, plays British wildcard Richard Bloomfield.
British number one Andy Murray, who is still a major doubt for the tournament with a wrist tendon injury, was drawn against Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.
If he does recover and makes it through to the third round there is the possibility of a clash with fellow Briton Tim Henman, who must get past Spain's Carlos Moya in round one.
Croatia's Mario Ancic, the last player to beat Roger Federer on a grasscourt back in 2002, withdrew because of illness. The 18th seed's place in the draw went to Canadian Frank Dancevic.
- REUTERS
