Birthday boy Novak Djokovic, the best player in the world in 2008, emerged the big winner after the French Open draw placed a succession of booby traps in the paths of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Federer's bid to win a first Roland Garros title faces a testing start against big American Sam Querrey.

He could then face a tricky fourth round date with Argentinian claycourter Juan Monaco before a possible quarter-final match-up with the likes of either fast-rising compatriot Stanilas Wawrinka, the ninth seed, or French eighth seed Richard Gasquet.

Spanish claycourt specialists Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2002 champion, fifth seed David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo are all possible semi-final opponents for Federer who is desperate to add an elusive French Open title to his collection of 12 Grand Slams.

"I think things are looking much better. Since the beginning of the year, it was tough with the sickness (Federer suffered glandular fever in January). But I definitely bounced back again the last few months," said Federer.

"I'm feeling where I want to be shortly before a really important stretch of tournaments. I feel good about my chances," said Federer.

Federer, who has lost to Nadal in the last two finals, will face a confident Querrey. The 20-year-old is riding high after capturing his maiden career title in Las Vegas this year before reaching the last eight on clay in Monte Carlo.

Nadal, who is bidding to become the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1981 to win four titles in a row here, was the biggest loser in the draw.

The Spaniard, who has a perfect record at Roland Garros of 21 wins in 21 matches, begins his campaign against a qualifier with a possible tricky quarter-final against David Nalbandian.

Nadal has lost both his career meetings with the muscular Argentininan.

The 21-year-old, fresh from deposing Federer as Hamburg champion last week for his eighth win in nine claycourt meetings with the Swiss, faces an array of possible problems in the early rounds.

Compatriots and claycourt specialists Nicolas Almagro, seeded 19, and 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco, as well as British 10th seed Andy Murray, could stand in his way.

"There are a lot of good players out there, so it's going to be a very tough tournament," said Nadal who has shrugged of the calf problems he suffered in his Hamburg Masters final win over Federer.

"I feel very good physically. I don't have any problems so that's very important," he added.

Australian Open and Rome Masters champion Djokovic could face Nadal in the semi-finals.

He starts against Germany's Denis Gremelmayr, the world 63, with America's James Blake a probable last eight opponent.

In between, Djokovic, who turned 21 on Thursday, should be untroubled with just 1998 champion Carlos Moya a potential problem in the third round.

"I come here as the world number three, having won my first Grand Slam title and two Masters this year so there's a lot of pressure on me. I'm confident I can cope with that pressure. This is a long tournament and physical strength and patience will be key," said Djokovic.

Former triple champion Gustavo Kuerten, who will be playing his last match before retirement, faces a tricky opener against French 18th seed Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Women's top seed Maria Sharapova, bidding to win a first French Open and complete a career Grand Slam, begins her campaign against fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina, the world number 104.

Sharapova, who suffered a calf injury and pulled out of the Italian Open semifinal last week, said she is not concerned about being top seed.

"It's not something I think about. My goal is to win as many matches as I can and the ranking will take care of itself," said the Russian.

Second seed Serbian Ana Ivanovic, the runner-up to Justine Henin in 2007, faces Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson while 2002 champion Serena Williams starts against fellow American Ashley Harkelroad.

Henin, the champion here for the last three years, recently announced her retirement from the game, a decision which has thrown open the women's draw.

Sharapova, a semifinalist in 2007 and the new world number one could face compatriot and 2004 runer-up Elena Demetieva in the quarter-finals with fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova a potential semifinal opponent.

Third seed Jelena Jankovic begins against a qualifier with French hopes Amelie Mauresmo and Alize Cornet also in her section.

Venus Williams, runner-up to her sister in 2002, is seeded eight and could face Jankovic in the last eight. Serena is a possible quarter-final opponent for Ivanovic.