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Andy Murray Wimbledon 2021
Tennis News

Murray faces Broady in Wimbledon opener


Until last week, Murray had not played another British player in almost a decade – his last match coming against Tim Henman in 2006 – but he played two in as many matches last week after beating Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund en route to a fifth Aegon Championships title at Queen’s Club.

Now he will face a third compatriot in as many weeks as he opens his 11th Wimbledon campaign against the world No.234, a former boys’ doubles champion and singles finalist at SW19.

Meanwhile, another British wildcard is guaranteed to play on Centre Court on Monday after James Ward was drawn to face defending champion Novak Djokovic in the first round.

Should Djokovic successfully navigate his way past the world No.177, he could face another Brit in the shape of British No.3 Kyle Edmund – a  quarter-finalist at Queen’s last week.

Djokovic’s route to a fourth Wimbledon title includes a potential fourth-round clash against David Ferrer, with Queen’s finalist Milos Raonic a likely quarter-final opponent.

There is no possibility of a rematch of the 2014 and 2015 finals, which saw Djokovic defeat seven-time champion Roger Federer. The pair are both in the top half of the draw and could meet in the semi-finals.

Murray, meanwhile, is projected to face two-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals, with Richard Gasquet a possible quarter-final opponent.  Murray has won his last six matches against the Frenchman, but was memorably taken to five sets by Gasquet at Wimbledon in 2008.

Federer will meet Guido Pella in his opening match, while Wawrinka opens against talented American teenager Taylor Fritz, with the unseeded Juan Martin Del Potro a likely second-round opponent.

In the women’s draw, top seed and defending champion Serena Williams will begin the defence of her title against a qualifier, with a potential rematch against Heather Watson in the third round.

Watson memorably pushed Williams to the brink at the same stage last year, leading the world No.1 by a double break in the final set before Williams charged back to win.

Roland Garros champion and last year’s finalist Garbine Muguruza, seeded No.2 this year, faces a tricky opener against Camilla Giorgi in the first round.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.