Djokovic, Federer land on same side of US Open draw

The draw ceremony for the 139th US Open was held Thursday, revealing each player's path toward the final Grand Slam title of the season.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic begins his pursuit of a third major in 2019 against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain. The Serbian is in the same quarter as fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Djokovic last week en route to his first Masters 1000 title at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Twenty-time Grand Slam champ Roger Federer is in the same half of the draw as Djokovic and could play him in the semifinals. The Swiss Maestro will face a qualifier in his first-round match.

Rafael Nadal will open his US Open campaign against Australia's John Millman, who upset Federer in the fourth round of last year's tournament. The Spaniard has never played Federer in New York, but they could meet in the final.

Young Canadian stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov begin their tournaments against each other for the second straight year. Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire from their 2018 match after suffering from heart palpitations.

Top-seeded women's player Naomi Osaka kicks off her defense against Anna Blinkova. Osaka defeated Serena Williams 6-3, 6-2 in last year's controversial final to claim her first career major. The Japanese star could face teen sensation Coco Gauff in the third round.

Williams won't have much time to ease into the US Open, as she drew five-time major champion Maria Sharapova in her opening match. The American legend is 19-2 against her counterpart but the two have never squared off at Flushing Meadows. Williams would tie Margaret Court's all-time singles Grand Slam record with a title at the US Open.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will play a qualifier in the first round. Halep's quarter includes Bianca Andreescu, and the rising Canadian star's tournament begins with a match against 17-year-old American wild card Katie Volynets.

Other notable 1st-round matchups

• Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Andrey Rublev
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Victoria Azarenka
• Steve Johnson vs. Nick Kyrgios
• Maria Sakkari vs. Camila Giorgi