Ones to watch at Wimbledon

10 April 2012

According to most of those who witnessed Andy Murray's sun-dappled success at Queen's Club on Sunday, the long wait for Britain's first Wimbledon men's singles champion since Fred Perry is as good as over.

With Rafael Nadal fighting injury and Roger Federer still celebrating his historic Grand Slam of grand slams at Roland Garros, the young Scot surely only has to turn up on Centre Court to win the thing.

The likelihood is that Murray will be dancing the night away at the Champions' Ball with one of the Williams sisters, who must start as co-favourites to add to their ever-growing list of All England Club titles.

Would that the sport be so predictable. In a strong men's game, there are a whole bunch of proven grass-court performers who would be more than capable of upsetting the world's top three on a given day.

In the women's game, the strength in depth is less evident, with the top of the rankings stocked with Russians who seem to do anything possible to avoid winning major titles, the excellent Svetlana Kuznetsova excepted.

So who are the outside bets equipped to turn the Wimbledon formbook upside down in the course of the next three weeks?

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Hardly an unknown quantity, but the 2008 Australian Open finalist has been forced to keep a lid on his ambitions due to a series of injuries. Fully fit, he would prove a match for almost anyone on grass, and he has the pedigree: he reached the fourth round as a wild card in 2007.

Ivo Karlovic

Again, the gangly Croatian is hardly coming from nowhere, having produced one of the biggest upsets in history when he beat defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round in 2003. When his crashing serve and volley tennis is in full flow, he can beat almost anyone.

Grigor Dimitrov

The reigning boys singles champion could be a star in the making. He won the title last year without dropping a set and despite carrying a shoulder injury. In his first full professional year, he has beaten Czech Tomas Berdych and taken a set off Rafael Nadal in Rotterdam. One to watch.

John Isner
Tall, hard-hitting US college star Isner caused a sensation when he reached the final of the Legg Mason Classic in 2007. He has established himself inside the top 100 and heads to his favourite surface in fine form, having proven his adaptability by reaching the last eight of the US clay court championships.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Radwanska won the 2005 girls' singles title at Wimbledon and her clever play has seen her continue to excel on the surface without achieving the major breakthrough many feel she is capable of. Winner at Eastbourne last year, a favourable draw could give Radwanska a chance.

Agnes Szavay

Few in the sport were surprised when the fast-rising Hungarian beat Venus Williams at Roland Garros this year. Although most of her success has come on clay, the talented Szavay reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year and looks more than capable of a repeat performance.

Jelena Dokic
Remember the then unknown Dokic's stunning first round win over Martina Hingis in 1999? Dokic also reached the Wimbledon semi-finals before experiencing career meltdown. Now back and, back injuries permitting, capable of causing a few upsets heading towards the second week.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Pavlyuchenkova was the youngest player in the women's singles draw last year when she reached the third round. Still only 17, she has added Jelena Jankovic and Agnieszka Radwanska to her ever-growing list of scalps this year. Another for the big names to watch out for.

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