Wimbledon: Day 4 preview
Originally published on: 23/06/11 10:47
Djokovic is first up on Court No.1 against lofty South African Kevin Anderson. The Serb, whose form this year has been nothing short of remarkable, eased past Jeremy Chardy in straight sets on Tuesday. His 6ft 8in opponent is looking forward to his latest test against the two-time Aussie Open champ, having already played him twice this year.
“He’s a great player,” said Anderson, who defeated Djokovic in their first meeting in Miami in 2008. “He’s had almost the best year of recorded history and it’s going to be tough. I have to play my game, take one point at a time and enjoy the process as well.”
Federer, who handed Djokovic his only loss of the year at Roland Garros, hosts Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at his second home on Centre Court. The Swiss maestro avoided a repeat of last year’s first-round nail biter when he comfortably overcame Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan. The six-time champ is third match up on Centre Court against an opponent ranked over 50 spots below him in the rankings.
Kick-starting proceedings on Centre Court today is fifth-seed Robin Soderling and former champion Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt may not possess the title threat he once did but with his attitude as tenacious as ever, this match promises to represent value for money.
Completing the Centre Court line-up is Chinese sensation and Roland Garros champion Na Li. The 29-year-old faces world number 62, Sabine Lisicki of Germany.
Second up on Court No.1 is Queens finalist and all-round entertainer Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. The duo have met once this year already in Rotterdam with the Frenchman prevailing in straight sets.
The last match of the day on Court No.1 will have British fans rubbing their hands together in anticipation when the former Junior Wimbledon winner Laura Robson takes on fan-favourite Maria Sharapova. A daunting task for the young Brit but after a confidence boosting first round win over Angelique Kerber she will fancy her chances against anyone.
Court No.2 tickets will be hot property today with Serena Williams, Juan Martin Del Potro, David Ferrer and Caroline Wozniacki all in action. Serena takes on Romania Simona Halep while world No.1 Wozniacki faces Virginie Razzano of France. David Ferrer takes on young American hotshot Ryan Harrison who won his first round match after earning a lucky loser spot in the draw, and Del Potro will resume his match from a set down against Olivier Rochus. Britain’s Elena Baltacha completes the packed Court No. 2 line-up when she looks to continue her great run of form against the number 20 seed, Shuai Peng of China.
John Isner’s name is permanently cemented on Court No.18 after last year’s marathon match and the American returns to the scene today when he faces tough opposition in the form of Spaniard Nicolas Almagro.
Elsewhere around the ground there are a whole host of names in action including, Marion Bartoli, Francesca Schiavone, Ana Ivanovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Julia Goerges, Viktor Troicki and Jurgen Melzer.
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