Tennis: US Open first round draw, Murray to play Llodra

Andy Murray will begin the defence of his US Open title against France's Michael Llodra. Murray is seeded third for the tournament and because of that he is in the same half of the draw as world number one Novak Djokovic, which means they can't face each other in the final. Llodra is ranked 49th in the world and has never managed to beat Murray. If he gets past the early rounds Murray could face Czech Tomas Berdych in the last eight, the man who beat him in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open last week. Juan Martin Del Potro, winner of the 2010 US Open, is also in Murray's half of the draw. World number one Djokovic starts against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, ranked 126. Murray is eager to experience the defence of a Grand Slam title for the first time in his career. "It's obviously tough, it's a new experience for me," he said. "This week has been a bit busier than normal, there's been a few more demands on my time.I'm looking forward to it. I want the tournament to get started now. I've enjoyed my tennis the last few weeks, but now it's time for business. This is a huge tournament for me. I love this tournament and I'll try to have a good run." The other half of the draw could see a quarter-final clash of the titans between 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, seeded seventh, and Rafael Nadal, the second seed. Nadal starts against American Ryan Harrison, ranked 97, while Federer faces Slovenian Grega Zemlja, the world number 61. Here are the outright US Open odds at Bet365: Novak Djokovic - 15/8 Rafael Nadal - 2/1 Andy Murray - 10/3 Roger Federer - 11/1 Juan Martin Del Potro - 12/1