No easy U.S. Open draw for new No. 1 Nadal

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- New world No. 1 Rafael Nadal will open next week's U.S. Open against a qualifier but may have to face fourth-ranked David Ferrer before reaching the finals.

Nadal will be seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam event for the first time as he rode wins this year at the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics to the top of the rankings. He supplanted Roger Federer, who had been No. 1 for a record 237 consecutive weeks.

Nadal's shot at a third Grand Slam title this year could be tough as he has potential match-ups against local favorite James Blake, ranked ninth in the world, in the quarterfinals and Ferrer in the semis. There is also that potential final rematch with Federer, whom Nadal beat at the French and Wimbledon finals.

Federer, who has lost four of his last eight matches, could go against third-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. They met in last year's U.S. Open final, which ended in Federer's 12th Grand Slam title.

Federer opens his U.S. Open draw against Maximo Gonzalez.

If the draw plays to form, Djokovic would go against eighth-seeded Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals before that date with Federer.