Buoyant Federer ready to reclaim Wimbledon crown

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-19 12:58

With Raphael Nadal struggling, Federer's likely title rivals at Wimbledon will be Andy Murray (pictured) who's bidding to become the first British men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936, former two-time runner-up Andy Roddick and world number four Novak Djokovic. [Agencies]

GOOD BENCHMARK

"I think I could win against either of them (Federer and Nadal) on grass," Murray said after his Queen's Club triumph. "But I'd have to play my best. I don't think average against them is going to cut it.

"I'll need to be playing good tennis anyway to reach the semi-finals but I'd like to get the chance to play either of them this year. Normally Queen's is a good benchmark to see where all the other players are at. For me it was perfect preparation."

Of the other contenders, Djokovic appears to be suffering a dip in form just at the wrong time, losing early in Paris and then to Tommy Haas in the Halle final.

Slimmed-down American Andy Roddick, twice defeated in Wimbledon finals by Federer, will bring his rocket-powered serve to the party once again and will be dangerous if he has fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained at Queen's Club.

There will also be a few bets placed on Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro. The gangly 20-year-old has come of age this year with wins over Murray and Nadal and nobody will relish having him in their quarter.

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