Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on quarter-final collision course

Friday's French Open draw threw up the mouthwatering prospect of a blockbuster quarter-final between world number one Novak Djokovic and nine-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal in the men's singles.

Nadal, who has suffered a dip in form since recovering from appendix surgery at the end of last year, has lost just one of his 67 matches at the famous tournament and begins his campaign for a 10th crown against France's Quentin Halys.

Top seed Djokovic, who will await Nadal in the last eight if both players avoid an upset in the early rounds, will be in action against Jarkko Nieminen in his opener.

Djokovic is also looking to complete a career grand slam.

The reward for winning that potential quarter-final could be a last-four clash with in-form Andy Murray, with the third seed set to face a qualifer in the first round.

In the bottom half of the draw, second seed Roger Federer heads the field and kicks off with a match against another qualifier.

Tomas Berdych looks set to provide Federer's main competition for a place in the final and the Czech will also be in action against a qualifier first up.

Top eight seeds:

Novak Djokovic (1) v Jarkko Nieminen

Roger Federer (2) v Qualifier

Andy Murray (3) v Qualifier

Tomas Berdych (4) v Qualifier

Kei Nishikori (5) v Paul-Henri Mathieu

Rafael Nadal (6) v Quentin Halys

David Ferrer (7) v Lukas Lacko

Stan Wawrinka (8) v Marsel Ilhan