Murray gets time to hit form for expected Nadal clash

Fourth seed Murray opens his fifth appearance at the All England Club when he meets Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic, 26, for the first time.

Hajek has made just one visit to Wimbledon, losing in the first round in 2007, and is ranked 80 in the world.

But the draw has not been so kind to former Wimbledon junior champion Laura Robson, who faces Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic in the opening round.

Britain's remaining women have been given a smoother ride but Murray's fellow Scot, Jamie Baker – the only other domestic interest in the men's singles – faces a difficult start.

Baker, a wild-card ranked 259 in the world, faces German Andreas Beck in the first round with French 32nd seed Julien Benneteau his likely opponent a round later.

Though positioned in the same quarter of the draw as Murray, Baker is highly unlikely to meet his compatriot as their paths do not meet until the quarter-finals.

A more probable last-eight opponent for Murray, who reached the semi-finals last year, is Spanish ninth seed Fernando Verdasco, though gifted Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is also a possibility.

The fourth round could prove very tricky for the British No 1 with American Sam Querrey, a standout performer on grass who won Queen's last week, or 17th seed Juan Carlos Ferrero waiting.

Should he progress, Murray's route to the fourth round should include matches against Jarkko Nieminen and 26th seed Simon Gilles – giving him time to find some form.

World No 1 and second seed Nadal, Wimbledon champion in 2008, starts against Kei Nishikori.

Roger Federer will open his title defence against Colombian Alejandro Falla, who has never progressed beyond the second round at SW19.

Top seed Federer, second in the rankings behind Nadal, is targeting a seventh title and has been handed the kindest passage into the final of the top four seeds.

Not so lucky is fourth seed Novak Djokovic, who is likely to have to overcome 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt and three-time finalist Andy Roddick in order to set up a semi against Federer.

In the women's singles, British No 1 Elena Baltacha will meet Petra Martic of Croatia – ranked 15 places lower at 77 – in the first round but is likely to face 11th seed Marion Bartoli in the second.

Melanie South faces Russian Regina Kulikova, 69 in the world, but fellow wild-card Katie O'Brien faces a tougher test against 28th seed Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine.

British No 3 Anne Keothavong has been drawn against Anastasia Rodionova – ranked 81 places higher at 76 – while Heather Watson will play Italian qualifier Romina Sarina Oprandi.

Defending women's champion and top seed Serena Williams has been drawn against Michelle Larcher de Brito and sister and second seed Venus Williams will battle with Roassana De Los Rios.

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