Nadal will open his title defence against American Michael Russell.
Nadal will open his title defence against American Michael Russell. Reuters

World number one Rafael Nadal will set about defending the Wimbledon title in his opener against American Michael Russell, while in the women's draw, holding champion Serena Williams opens against Aravane Rezai, while top seed Caroline Wozniacki starts off against Arantxa Parra Santonja.

With Serena's sister, Venus, in the opposite half of the draw, there is a possibility of a fifth final between the sisters.

Nadal could go on to face Ryan Sweeting in the second round.

In the men's draw, British number one Andy Murray was placed in Nadal's half of the draw. It means six-time winner Roger Federer and will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals - a repeat of the French Open semis, while Nadal will attempt to battle past Murray in the other semi.

Second seed Djokovic opens against France's Jeremy Chardy, while third-seed Federer will face Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan in his opener.

Andy Murray will open against world number 56 Daniel Gimeno-Traver and could go on to face either of Sergiy Stakhovsky or Dan Cox in the second round.

The highlight news of the day, though, is a rematch between endurance record-breakers John Isner and Nicholas Mahut, who will begin their Wimbledon dreams against each other. The two played out the longest match in the history of tennis last year, breaking records on the way. The match ended with Isner managing a win, with the final set showing a figure of 70-68.

The Wimbledon Championships 2011 will start on 20 June, Monday and will go on till 3 July with the men's final being played on Sunday, with the women's final a day before.