Aleksandra Wozniak will face a wildcard qualifier in the first round of the U.S. Open. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) The good news for Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak at the upcoming U.S. Open?
In the first round, the Blainville, Que., native will get to a play a qualifier to be determined this weekend.
The bad news? The winner of that match will likely face defending Open champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium in the second round.
It is a tough quarter of the draw, held Thursday, one that includes former Grand Slam finalists Marion Bartoli of France, Sam Stosur of Australia and Elena Dementieva of Russia.
Newly minted No. 1 and Rogers Cup champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is in the top half of the draw, with potential opposition for her from Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, France's Aravane Rezai and Russian Vera Zvonareva.
The women's draw is expected to be wide open, with former champions Serena Williams and Justine Henin not competing because of injury.
Nadal, Murray in top half
No. 3 seed Venus Williams, looking for her first Open championship in nine years, is in the same half of the draw as Clijsters.
Valerie Tetreault of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., Toronto's Sharon Fichman, Vancouver's Rebecca Marino, Stephanie Dubois of Laval, Que., and Heidi El Tabakh of Oakville, Ont., will be in women's qualifying this week.
Rafael Nadal of Spain and Scotsman Andy Murray are slotted in the top half of the draw.
No. 1 seed Nadal is looking for the only Grand Slam to elude him in his career, while Murray is looking for his first-ever after two defeats in Slam finals to Roger Federer.
In addition to Murray and Nadal, top players like Americans Sam Querrey and Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic are featured in the top half of the draw
Losing streak ended
Federer is in the bottom half and could conceivably face Lleyton Hewitt in the second round.
The Australian beat Federer this summer to end a long losing streak against the Swiss star.
Two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden is also in the mix. Whoever escapes that portion of the draw will advance to the semifinals against a foe that could be one of Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish of the U.S., Serbia's Novak Djokovic or Russian Nikolay Davydenko.
Federer lost in the final last year at Flushing Meadow to Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who won't be defending because of a wrist injury. Federer is looking for a record 17th Grand Slam title.
Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., Peter Polansky and Milos Raonic, both of Thornhill, Ont., are in men's qualifying this week.
The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.
