Wimbledon Day Two

When the draw was made for the first round matches, one match stood out ahead of all the others, Lleyton Hewitt versus Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.

The two players with a history of success at SW19, at opposite stages of their career, who play with contrasting styles, will battle it out on court one. It is a mouth-watering prospect. 

The younger man, Tsonga enters the match ranked at his highest ever ranking of five in the world coming off the back of his best ever French Open, is perhaps now ready to win his first major title.

(A dejected Tsonga will hope to overcome French Open heartbreak and finger injury against Hewitt today picture: TennisHeads) 

Hewitt remains one of the most dogged competitors on tour and regardless of ranking and match fitness, always comes to Wimbledon ready for a fight. This year the former world number one is currently outside the top 200 and has barely played since January due to having a plate inserted in his toe.

Whilst Tsonga has the faster serve as well as power and athleticism that every male tennis player envies, Hewitt is no stranger to beating and competing against more powerful opponents. In a memorable evening match in Melbourne at this year's Australian Open, Hewitt took out Milos Raonic a young man with the serve and power on tour to trouble even the ‘big three’. Recent years at Wimbledon have seen the 31 year old defeat Juan Martin Del Potro and push Robin Soderling to five sets, two giants who crush tennis balls with real venom.

(Ten years on from his triumph at Wimbledon Hewitt will look for another run at SW19 picture: Telegraph) 

The Frenchman’s mentality may be the deciding factor coming off what he described as “The toughest loss of his career”, to Novak Djokovic at the French Open. Will he be inspired or emotionally exhausted? The 27 year old only managed one win at Queens in his grass-court preparation before losing tamely to Ivan Dodig of Croatia. Tsonga is also said to be suffering with a finger injury. 

The other half of the men’s top four begin their campaigns on centre court today with both players keen to not waste physical or emotional energy early in the more competitive bottom half of the draw.

British hope Andy Murray, once again enters the All England Club under immense scrutiny and media pressure, begins today against former world number three Nikolay Davydenko.

While a quality player who at the peak of his career was rarely ranked outside the top ten and having won four of his nine meetings with the Scot could be dangerous. The fact remains the same the diminutive Russian hates grass. During his decorated career the 31 year old has only reached the second week once and Murray should come through this intriguing opener.

(Andy Murray begins his campaign against Nikolay Davydenko today picture: The Sun) 

Rafael Nadal meanwhile begins against talented Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci. The 24 year old Bellucci however is most comfortable on clay and has never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon, so expect the two time champ to win with relative ease.

Another Brit hoping to advance to round two is Jamie Baker. The Glaswegian is back among the world’s top 200 after a serious blood disease nearly took his life.

Incredibly after a fantastic recovery Britain’s number two will get his moment in the spotlight against a three time finalist at Wimbledon, Andy Roddick. Rumours have been circulating that this year will be the former world number one’s last on tour. But the 29 year old forced those ready to write his career obituary to re-think, winning Eastbourne last week and also picking up a 600^th win on tour along the way.

Two potential stars of the future meet on court two when, last year’s surprise quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic, meets David Goffin of Belgium. Goffin pushed Federer in the fourth round of Roland Garros last month losing out in four close sets after only qualifying for the tournament as a lucky loser.

Tomic proved his quarter final run was no fluke, reaching the last 16 of his home slam, at the Australian Open in January. At 19 and 21 respectively, these are two names to look out for over the next few years.

Ninth seed Del Potro is also in action against dangerous Dutchman, Robin Haase. The big hitting 25 year old took two sets off Nadal here during his 2010 winning run and also took a two set lead at last year’s US Open against Murray, before the Scot pegged him back.

Petra Kvitova begins her title defence first up on centre court. Meanwhile second seed Victoria Azarenka starts after losing her number one ranking to Maria Sharapova last month.

Many people’s pick for the women’s title Serena Williams is also in action today.

Laura Robson will hope to take inspiration from Heather Watson’s victory last night, as she clashes with 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.