Novak Djokovic's defence of his Wimbledon crown begins on Monday as the world number one takes on another man who has reached the zenith of men's tennis.
(Djokovic hoping to defend crown: picture: BBC)
Former world number one, Juan Carlos Ferrero will encounter Djokovic in centre court's inaugural contest and represents a genuine challenge for the Serb.
While past his peak the Spaniard has a decent record at Wimbledon.Twice a quarter-finalist in the past six years, this is the best he's achieved recently at any of the sport's majors.
The 32 year old possesses the mental fortitude required to reach the top of the game and also has adapted an attacking solid no thrills game that has brought him success in recent years against flashier players at the four big tournaments in the tennis calendar.
The former French Open champ has seen off Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils recently in Grand Slams by keeping a consistent level and managing his game against opponents of greater talents but more prone to inconsistency.
(Former world number one Ferrero will look to cause a major upset picture: Daily Mail)
There is a good chance this match could resemble Ferrero's 2009 quarter-final appearance when the Spaniard was dominated by Andy Murray in three one sided sets. Yet, should Djokovic play too passively or get nervous, Ferrero has the game and self-belief to make it an arduous struggle for his 25 year old opponent.
Perhaps the most interesting element of this match up will be Djokovic's psyche. The man from Belgrade was visibly constrained during Roland Garros, rarely playing his best tennis, struggling with the pressure of trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major prizes in tennis.
The Serb still reached his first ever French Open final and won eight games in a row against Rafael Nadal during the final. Interestingly Djokovic recovered from a giant setback to win the crown at SW19 last year.
The other men's clash on Centre Court matches sixth seed, Tomas Berdych against talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
This intriguing clash sees one of the world's best players pitted against a man many tennis experts predicted to be among the best, three to four years ago.
Gulbis's fall from grace and failure to reach full potential is one of the most curious stories in the sport.
The 23 year old sits 87th in the world with a losing record at tour level this year, but has shown signs of top ten class during his eventful early career.
(Ernests Gulbis hoping for one of the biggest wins of his career against Berdych picture: Getty Images)
In 2008 Gulbis was the only man, other than Roger Federer, to take a set of Nadal en route to his championship victory at Wimbledon. The Latvian was being listed alongside Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic as tennis's brightest new stars.
Despite possessing a ferocious serve and powerful groundstrokes, Gulbis has gone backwards. Many cite his partying lifestyle and dislike of training as the crucial factors behind his decline.
In an interview with The Times Gulbis the world number 87 talked of his love of: “all women”, suggesting a player who likes to play as hard as he works. This formula seems unlikely to bring success when you compare Gulbis’s attitude and commitment to that of the dedicated top four ranked players in the game.
On the court I suspect Berdych to be too consistent and too good for the immature Latvian but few unseeded players have greater potential to cause a major upset.
The match of the day is first up on court one when David Nalbandian plays his first match after inadvertently kicking a line judge in the final of Queens.
The Argentine’s moment of madness caused a great stir throughout the tennis world with his rash kick, causing some to call for the 30 year old’s suspension.
The ATP deemed removal of his ranking points and prize money at the Aegon Championships punishment enough. The man looking to unruffle the former world number three is Jarko Tipsarevic.
The Serb has been very consistent this year backing up a great hardcourt season last term which saw him break into the World’s top ten for the first time in his career.
Nalbandian may win in five close sets but a safer prediction is that the former Wimbledon finalist gets booed in an explosive opening round contest.
(Pantomime villain David Nalbandian will be in action in mouth-watering opener against Tipsarevic picture: Getty Images.)
Perhaps the most popular player at the championships, Roger Federer, also opens his campaign on day one, he should have no trouble against Spaniard Albert Ramos.
Other matches of interest include Britain’s Oliver Golding taking on Igor Andreev. Golding was victorious at last year’s junior US Open championship and will be making his first senior appearance at a Grand Slam but may fancy his chances against the unpredictable Russian.
A former top 20 player with a huge forehand Andreev has floundered in recent years and could be the perfect opponent for the talented Londoner.
With the total domination of men’s tennis by the ‘big three’, genuine dark horses are hard to come by but one player capable of putting together a strong challenge is 11th seed John Isner.
The American who became a household name when he won the longest match takes on a man who very nearly also became world renowned due to a historic win at Wimbledon.
Alejandro Falla was two sets up against then reigning champion, Federer on the opening day of Wimbledon in 2010 before the Swiss pegged him back to win in five sets.
A final potential five setter on day one is the all French clash between number 18 seed Gilles Simon and Paul Henri Mathieu. After crippling injury Mathieu provided an unforgettable moment at this year’s Rolland Garos defeating Isner in a five setter in front of nearly 15,000 home fans on Phillippe Chattier Court.
The epic was a reminder of the qualities and talent that made the 30 year old a top 20 player and whilst his opponent remains amongst the world’s top 20 he may struggle to scupper his countryman’s momentum.
Maria Sharapova ,number one seed and pre-tournament favourite, begins against Poland’s Anastasia Rodionova. While two former world number ones meet on court one as Jelena Jankovic collides with Kim Clijsters.
Elsewhere US Open champion Sam Stosur begins against clay court specialist Carla Suarez Navarro. Despite having a game that suits grass perfectly, the Australian has exited at this stage two years running.
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