Lacko first up for Murray

Murray: Same half as Nadal

US OPEN
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Andy Murray's latest grand slam bid will start with a first round clash against Slovakian Lukas Lacko at the US Open, where the British number one has been drawn in the same half as world number one Rafael Nadal.

Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2008 final, heads into the tournament in good spirits after winning in Toronto two weeks ago and has always been a fan of playing in front of the boisterous New York crowds.

The Scot also made the final of the Australian Open this year, where he was once again beaten by Federer, and he hopes to finally go one better this time around and claim that first major tournament.

Nadal will stand in his way should they both get through to the semi-finals though, with the Spanish top seed, who has never won the US Open, kicking off his campaign against world number 98 Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Second seed and five-time US Open winner Federer opens up Brian Dabul of Argentina in what could be a testing route to another possible final.

Fed test

Federer, who lost out in a classic to Juan Martin Del Potro 12 months ago, could play former winner Lleyton Hewitt in round three while a possible quarter-final with Robin Soderling and semi-final with Novak Djokovic could also await.

Djokovic, who is seeded four at Flushing Meadows, will take on fellow Serbian star Viktor Troicki in the first round as he looks to go one better than his runners-up spot at the US Open in 2007.

In the women's draw, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki is the top seed following world number one Serena Williams' withdrawal because of injury.

Wozniacki, who lost in the final last year, will go up against American wildcard Chelsey Gullickson as she starts her bid for a first grand slam title in New York.

Kim Clijsters beat Wozniacki to win the title 12 months ago, and he trophy defence begins with the Belgian playing Hungarian Greta Arn.

Showdown

Wozniacki could face a mouth-watering showdown with Russia's former champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, while Serbia's Jelena Jankovic looms as a possible semi-final opponent.

Jankovic plays Romania's Simona Halep in the first round, and the second seed could then go on to face Australia's French Open finalist Samantha Stosur in the quarter-finals and possibly two-time US Open champion Venus Williams in the semis.

British number one Elena Baltacha faces Petra Martic, while French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy was drawn against Japan's Ayumi Morita in the first round.

Baltacha will be out for quick revenge against Martic, who fought back from a set and 3-5 down to beat the tiring Briton in the first round of Wimbledon in June.

Baltacha said: "It's quite funny how it works out because I was two points away from winning that one. It's a good chance to get revenge but of course she's dangerous and I know that better than anyone.

"But a lot has happened since Wimbledon so I'm, actually really looking forward to it and I think it'll be a good match and one that I want to win.

"Obviously the draw could have been much worse and it's great to be here in the main draw on my ranking for the first time. That's a good feeling."