Defending champion Novak Djokovic faces the prospect of having to defeat both Roger Federer and Andy Murray in order to triumph at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.
The draw for the men’s competition at SW19 has taken place with the world No.1 starting his campaign against home player James Ward. It will be the first meeting between the two players with Djokovic yet to lose in the first round at the tournament in his career. Further on in the draw, Djokovic could play David Ferrer in the fourth round, Aegon Championships runner-up Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals and then a mouth-watering tie with seven-time Wimbledon champion Federer. Djokovic has played the Swiss player on three previous occasions at SW19, leading the head-to-head 2-1.
Defending champ Novak Djokovic route to #Wimbledon final:
1R J Ward
2R Mannarino
3R Querrey
4R Ferrer
QF Raonic
SF Federer
F Murray— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) 24 June 2016
Federer will start against Argentine world No.51 Guido Pella, who is playing in only his second Wimbledon main draw. The tournament will be the biggest test for the Swiss player since his return to the tour from a back injury. In the build-up to Wimbledon, Federer has achieved back-to-back semifinals in Stuttgart and Halle. The potential opponents waiting the 17-time grand slam champion in the first week could be Ricardas Berankis and Alexandr Dolgopolov. Further on in the draw is expected to be a much tougher battle for Federer with a last sixteen clash with either world No.20 Gilles Simon or former US Open champion Marin Cilic. If all goes to plan towards the end of the tournament, the 34-year-old may have to produce back-to-back wins over Kei Nishikori, Djokovic and Murray in order to secure grand slam title No.18.
Federer’s projected draw:
R1 – Pella
R2 – Berankis
R3 – Dolgopolov
R4 – Simon / Cilic
QF – Nishikori
SF – Djokovic
F – Murray#Wimbledon— GameSetMatch (@Tennis17MAD) 24 June 2016
Once again carrying the hopes of the home nation will be Andy Murray. Coming into Wimbledon the world No.2 made history at The Queen’s Club by winning the Aegon Championships for a record fifth time. Opening against compatriot Liam Broady, a potentially thrilling fourth round meeting with Nick Kyrgios awaits. Murray currently has a head-to-head record of 4-1 against Kyrgios. The Brit may be required to defeat Richard Gasquet and Stan Wawrinka in order to reach the final, where there could be a French Open final rematch between him and Djokovic.
Andy Murray’s potential route to 2016 #Wimbledon final
R1: Liam Broady
R2: Lu/Qualifier
R3: Paire
R4: Kyrgios
QF: Gasquet
SF: Stan
F: Novak— britwatchsports (@britwatchsports) 24 June 2016
The first round of the competition features some intriguing opening matches. Rising-star Dominic Thiem will start against Germany’s Florian Mayer, a player who has recently won the Gerry Weber Open in Halle. Kei Nishikori will face the fast-serving Sam Groth in what will be a tricky opening match. Stan Wawrinka will play America’s Taylor Fritz, who became the youngest American player to reach an ATP final since 1989 earlier this year and recently took Federer to three sets on the grass. Finally, Milos Raonic will be hoping to continue his run of solid form on the grass with a strong first round performance against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.
The full draw
Complete #Wimbledon men’s singles draw (without qualifiers): pic.twitter.com/oqICVxigIU
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 24 June 2016
