Federer, Henin to begin against qualifiers

Roger Federer will begin the defence of his US Open title against a qualifier after the draw was made at New York's Empire State Building yesterday.

The Swiss is hoping to become the first man to win the title four times in a row since American Bill Tilden in the 1920s.

Federer could face rising American John Isner in the third round and if the seedings go to plan, he would play fifth seed and former champion Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals.

Second seed Rafael Nadal will begin against Australian qualifier Alun Jones.

In the women's event, champion Maria Sharapova will play Italian Roberta Vinci in the first round and could run into sixth seed and fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze in the quarter-finals.

Top seed Justine Henin, champion in 2003, will begin against a qualifier but could face eighth seed Serena Williams in the quarter-finals - as she did at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.