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Battle of Britain

Wimbledon 2016: Andy Murray gets all-Brit first-round clash against Liam Broady as James Ward faces Novak Djokovic

Brit No 1 could face Stan Wawrinka in semi-finals while Roger Federer in line for last-four clash with Djokovic

ANDY MURRAY has been given a decent-looking  route to Wimbledon glory.

But the other British men all have a tough task to make it through the first round at SW19.

 Andy Murray will face Brit rival Liam Broady in the first round of Wimbledon
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Andy Murray will face Brit rival Liam Broady in the first round of WimbledonCredit: PA:Press Association

The draw was particularly unkind to Liam Broady, who will face Murray in the first round, and to Davis Cup hero James Ward, who will open up against world No 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic on Monday.

British No 1 Murray avoided seven-time champion Roger Federer or big-serving Milos Raonic, who are the potential semi-final and quarter-final opponents for Djokovic.

If the Scot won the Broady match, he would face the winner of Lu Yen-Hsun’s first-round clash with a qualifier.

 Liam Broady will meet Andy Murray in the first round of this years Wimbledon
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Liam Broady will meet Andy Murray in the first round of this years WimbledonCredit: Action Images
 James Ward faces a monumental task in trying to get past Novak Djokovic
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James Ward faces a monumental task in trying to get past Novak DjokovicCredit: Getty Images

By seeding, his potential opponents if he progressed further would be France’s Benoit Paire and then Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who for all his explosive talent has never beaten the British No 1.

And Murray could have déjà vu from the French Open if he makes it to last eight and semi finals. He is seeded to face the two players he beat in Paris, Richard Gasquet and Stan Wawrinka.

No 7 seed Gasquet will have to beat British No 2 Aljaz Bedene in the first round to make it that far, while Brit wildcard Alex Ward must try to overcome No 11 seed David Goffin.

 Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic could meet in the Wimbledon semi-finals
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Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic could meet in the Wimbledon semi-finalsCredit: Reuters

British No 3 Kyle Edmund and Brydan Klein will both come up against experienced French opponents, Adrian Mannarino and Nicolas Mahut. If Edmund won, he would face the winner of the Djokovic v James Ward match.

Only British No 4 Dan Evans, who started to find his form on grass in Nottingham this week, can have no complaints, after being paired with Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who is ranked only a few places above him.

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