Andy Murray
Murray will take on Frenchman Llodra in first round of the US Open. (Reuters)

Defending champion Andy Murray has been drawn against Michael Llodra of France in the first round of the US Open.

World number one Novak Djokovic has been placed on the same side of the draw as the Scotsman meaning there will be no repeat of last year's final at Flushing Meadows or their encounter in the Wimbledon final last month, where Murray came out on top on both occasions.

33-year-old Frenchman Llodra has taken on Murray on three occasions in the past losing on each occasion, the most recent being a loss at the Australian Open in January 2012, where Murray beat the Frenchman in straight sets to seal his place in the quarter finals.

Should Murray beat Llodra, he will face the challenge of Victor Hanescu of Romania or Argentina's Leonardo Mayer in round two, with Juan Monaco, Nicolas Almagro and Andreas Seppi the seeds potentially waiting for him the third.

Roger Federer, seeded seventh in the last Grand Slam of the year, has been drawn in the bottom half and faces a potential quarter final clash with his old adversary and second seeded Rafael Nadal, who enters the major fresh from his victory at the Cincinnati Open.

Federer will open against Grega Zemlja of Serbia, while Nadal will resume his quest for his second major of the year against American opponent Ryan Harrison, ranked 97<sup>th in the world.

British number one Laura Robson has been drawn against Spain's Lourdes Dominguez and could soon be joined by compatriot Elena Baltacha, who is now just one match away from reaching the tournament after winning her second round qualifier, with world number 118 Michelle Larcher de Brito waiting for her should she progress.

Returning to the scene of his first Grand Slam win, Murray cannot wait to begin the defence of his title.

"It's been tough, it's a new experience for me," Murray is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "This week has been a bit busier than normal; there's been a few more demands on my time.

"I'm looking forward to it. I want the tournament to get started now. I've enjoyed my tennis the last few weeks, but now it's time for business.

"This is a huge tournament for me. I love this tournament and I'll try to have a good run."