Wimbledon: Danger Awaits The Big Four In The Men’s Draw - UBITENNIS
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Wimbledon: Danger Awaits The Big Four In The Men’s Draw

By Adam Addicott
7 Min Read
Andy Murray (zimbio.com)

The draw for the 131st Wimbledon men’s tournament has taken place with Andy Murray set to start his campaign against a qualifier or lucky loser.

Sezioni
Djokovic on course for Del Potro testFull draw

There has been recent doubts surrounding Murray’s fitness after he withdrew from the Hurlingham exhibition tournament due to a sore hip. Despite the concerns, the Brit has quashed fears when he was seen resuming his practice at The All England Club as the draw was taking place. Yesterday coach Ivan Lendl told The Telegraph that he was ‘not at all’ worried about Murray’s recent setback.

“I’m very pleased with the two weeks we’ve had,” he said. “He was hitting two days ago with Dimitrov and hitting the ball great.”

Should the world No.1 get through his opening match, he could face a series of dangerous opponents. Dustin Brown, who stunned the crowd at Wimbledon in 2015 when he defeated Rafael Nadal, could be a second round rival. Then there is a potential meeting with Italy’s Fabio Fognini, who crushed Murray in straight sets at this year’s Italian Open. In the last sixteen a mouthwatering clash with Nick Kyrgios could occur. The top seed has a 5-0 head-to-head lead over Kyrgios, but the Australian has defeated Novak Djokovic twice this year.

Also in Murray’s half is Rafael Nadal, who he could face in the semifinals. The French Open champion will start against John Millman, who turned pro in 2006. Nadal is set to face a series of big servers during the first week of the tournament. Denis Istomin, who stunned Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, or Donald Young awaits him in the second round. Then the Spaniard could face a battle with Karen Khachanov followed by Gilles Muller or Ivo Karlovic.

“I still have work to do,” Nadal recently told The New York Times about his Wimbledon preparation. “The level I’m at now is not enough to compete like I want at Wimbledon.”

Djokovic on course for Del Potro test

In the other half of the section, former champion Novak Djokovic will face Martin Klizan, a player who he has only dropped one set against in three matches. Last year the Serbian crashed out in the third round of the tournament. If he wants to avoid a similar fate against this year, Djokovic could once again face off against the formidable Juan Martin del Potro. The two has already met three times on the tour this season with Djokovic winning them all, but two of the matches went to three sets. Should Djokovic come through round three, Queen’s champion Feliciano Lopez and Gael Monfils potentially awaits. This year Djokovic admits that he enters the draw with a different objective compared to that of 12 months ago.

“It does feel different than 12 months ago, of course,” he said. “Twelve months ago I had four Grand Slams under my belt, and coming into Wimbledon, completely different, you know, mentally than I am today. I still have to trust myself, my abilities to play well, and to win against anybody on any surface.

“I have that in the back of my mind. I will just try to reach that consistency level that I need, because I felt like that’s something that I was lacking. It was better in the last two months, but I have days where I play really well and days where it’s a bit different.”

Roger Federer will be begin his quest for a eighth Wimbledon title against Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov. Last year, the 35-year-old dismissed Dolgopolov in straight sets at the Australian Open. In what is a relatively generous draw from the Swiss player, he could play Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16. A player who was once named ‘baby Fed’ for his similarities to Federer’s game. Prior to that, Dusan Lajovic and Mischa Zverev could potentially be second and third round challenges.

“It’s a boost for me personally,” Federer told Wimbledon.com after winning the said of his latest Gerry Weber open. “With my confidence, knowing that my body is in good shape. Mentally, I’m fresh again, and I’ve gotten used to match play.”

Elsewhere, fifth seed Stan Wawrinka faces a stiff first round test against rising star Daniil Medvedev. The Swiss player fell at the first hurdle at last week’s Aegon Championships and has never progressed beyond the quarter finals at SW19. Meanwhile, Medvedev is currently playing at the Eastbourne Open where he faces Djokovic in the semifinals on Friday. Last year’s finalist Milos Raonic will play Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominic Thiem starts against Vasek Pospisil.

Full draw

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