From Djokovic to Zverev: Six men to watch at Wimbledon

Sport360 staff 20:37 25/06/2016
All eyes will be on Novak Djokovic while young star Alexander Zverev is causing a stir.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly the favourite to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title and fourth in total but he will face stiff competition from the in-form Andy Murray and legend Roger Federer, if the Swiss can get back to his best on the lawns of SW19.

Meanwhile, there are a number of players, who on their day, have the ability to make headlines of their own.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Djokovic's stats

  • 67 - career wins against 15 losses for Djokovic on grass - 81.7 per cent winning rate.
  • 16 - wins against top-10 players this season and just one loss.
  • 2 - has won the past two Wimbledons.

ATP Ranking: 1

Age: 29

Best Wimbledon result: Winner (2011, 2014-15)

With the French Open monkey finally off his back, Djokovic comes to Wimbledon feeling differently than any of the other times he has featured at the All England Club. Last year, his burning desire to get over his French Open defeat helped him capture a third Wimbledon crown. Will he be just as hungry this fortnight?

ANDY MURRAY


ATP Ranking: 2

Age: 29

Best Wimbledon result: Winner (2013)

Murray's Stats

  • 8 - career grand slam finals Murray has lost (won two).
  • 22 - fifth set triumphs for Murray against seven losses throughout his career.
  • 2013 - the last time Murray played in the final.

The Scot has made the semis or better in five of his last six grand slam appearances but is yet to win a major since triumphing at Wimbledon three years ago. Is back with coach Ivan Lendl, the man who guided him to his two slam titles, and is in great form. But is Lendl enough to snap Murray’s Djokovic hoodoo?

ROGER FEDERER

ATP Ranking: 3

Age: 34

Best Wimbledon result: Winner (2003-07, 2009, 2012)

Federer's Stats

  • 87 - per cent, Federer’s career winning rate on grass.
  • 18 - This will be his 18th consecutive Wimbledon appearance.
  • 2 - Federer has lost in the past two finals.

Hasn’t played much this year (only 22 matches in six and a half months) due to his back injury and heads to SW19 coming off semi-final losses to Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev in Stuttgart and Halle respectively. Still he’s managed to play seven matches on grass this month, which should be enough preparation.

OUTSIDERS TO WATCH AT SW19

ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)

Seeded at a slam for the first time, the 19-year-old German has a game tailor-made for grass and he already showed his mettle on the surface in his victory over Roger Federer en route to the Halle final a week ago. This is just his fifth grand slam main draw but he can always cause an upset.

BERNARD TOMIC (AUS)

Made the quarters at Wimbledon as an 18-year-old qualifier in 2011 but has not reached the same stage at a slam since. When focused and motivated, is a real threat and should he get past Verdasco in round one, he could emerge from a quarter of the draw he shares with Wawrinka.

IVO KARLOVIC (CRO)

Shares a quarter of the draw with Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer and is a player no one would like to face no grass, with his monster serve that lands him countless aces. Has Borna Coric in the first round before his draw opens up a bit. Is a former quarter-finalist at Wimbledon.

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