Federer top seed for US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) –

Roger Federer returns a ball against Spanish Rafael Nadal during their final match of the ATP Madrid Open claycourt tournament on May 17, 2009 in Madrid. Federer was confirmed Tuesday as the top men’s seed at the US Open, the last Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year that starts Monday at Flushing Meadows.

Five-time champion and world number one Roger Federer was confirmed Tuesday as the top men’s seed at the US Open, the last Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year that starts Monday at Flushing Meadows.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic is seeded second and world number four Andy Murray of Britain, who won Olympic gold at Wimbledon, is seeded third — higher than his world ranking because of the injury absence of Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

Spain’s David Ferrer is seeded fourth.

The singles draw for the tournament, which runs from August 27-September 9, will be made on Thursday.

Federer, who won his 17th Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, has won six titles in 2012, including his seventh Wimbledon title and three ATP Masters Series titles.

The Swiss great won five straight US Open titles from 2004-08.