Sports

Roger Federer’s path to US Open title just got a bit easier

Roger Federer’s dominance is long over, but the five-time US Open champion — in the midst of a resurgent summer at the age of 33 — could rise to the top again, thanks to a favorable draw.

Federer moved up to the No. 2 seed following the withdrawal of rival Rafael Nadal due to injury, and Thursday’s draw placed him on the softer side of the bracket. If seeds held, Federer would face clay-court aficionado David Ferrer in the semifinals.

Top seed Novak Djokovic — who beat Federer in a classic five-set match in last month’s Wimbledon final and has made the Open final each of the past four years — doesn’t have it as easy. Djokovic could play former champion Andy Murray — who beat him in the 2012 U.S. Open final — in the quarterfinals before possibly facing Australian Open champ Stanislas Wawrinka in the semis.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who will missing this year’s Open, likes how the draw sets up for Federer.

“The last few matches I’ve seen him, play, he is moving better than ever,” Mattek-Sands said. “He is being consistent. Definitely a contender here. He loves playing here, he loves playing for the crowd, and those night matches on Arthur Ashe.”

The top American man, No. 13 seed John Isner, will face American wild card Marcos Giron in the first round.

On the women’s side, two-time defending champion Serena Williams is healthy and looking for her first major title of the year.  She drew a super-intriguing first-round matchup: 18-year old American wild card Taylor Townsend.

“With the way my year has been going, I’m worried about every single match,” Williams said. “I’ve been going for [my 18th career grand slam] all year, but it hasn’t happened.”

Williams would face Ana Ivanovic in the quarterfinals, and possibly Eugenie Bouchard in the semifinals. Looming on the other side of the bracket are No. 5 seed Maria Sharapova and No. 2 seed Simona Halep. Sloane Stephens, eliminated by Serena in the fourth round last year, is also in the other half of the draw.

“Her three slams this year she’s been beat, so I think she’s really hungry for this one,” Mattek-Sands said. “I think she’s always expecting a slam and this year she hasn’t won one yet.”