ESPN Wimbledon 2009

2008 Wimbledon Review

Relive the action from the 2008 championship.Tags: Tennis

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2008 Wimbledon Review

The harsh transition from clay to grass just might render similar results. With the withdrawal from world No. 1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal, the prospects of Roger Federer recapturing his stranglehold at the All England Club suddenly increased dramatically. Will the venerable Swiss manifest the same mental fortitude that helped him win the French Open?

But it's Andy Murray who might be under the microscope more than any other player. The ballyhooed drought by Great Britain's players at Wimbledon could very well end this season, as many a pundit believes Murray is groomed and destined to hoist the cup.

What's in store for this year's tournament? Our experts state their cases.

Wimbledon men's predictions

	Bonnie D. Ford ESPN.com tennis writer	Greg Garber ESPN.com tennis writer	Sandra Harwitt Florida-based tennis writer
Early Exit	Yes, Novak Djokovic reached the final in Halle, but there still is a mystifying inconsistency to the Serb's game these days. He recently mentioned lingering fatigue from his match against Rafael Nadal in Madrid … which took place in mid-May.	Fernando Gonzalez made a terrific run at Roland Garros, but that effort will cost him in this tournament, following the quickest turnaround on the Grand Slam calendar.	Gilles Simon is not looking as secure as he did in 2008 when he muscled his way to the top of the game.
Sleeper	The grass is greener for Feliciano Lopez's serve-and-volley game. A two-time quarterfinalist, the tall Spanish lefty should get that far again.	At 29, this is Marat Safin's last turn at All England, and he has enough gas for one more run.	On a high from his French Open final showing, the six-packed Robin Soderling is finally healthy and realizing his potential.
Winner	Buoyed by his achievement in Paris, Roger Federer will regain control of his fiefdom, although Andy Murray will constitute a real threat to him on grass for the first time.	Andy Murray is destined to win his first Grand Slam one of these days -- why not at home at Wimbledon? He will end Great Britain's 64-year oh-fer since Fred Perry.	Tough to go against Roger Federer making history by winning a record 15th Grand Slam title at the most historic of tennis venues.

	Kamakshi Tandon Toronto-based tennis writer	Ravi Ubha London-based tennis writer	Matt Wilansky ESPN.com tennis editor
Early Exit	Lacking confidence and likely to be a bit flat until he somehow gets an inspiring win, Novak Djokovic might find himself packing his bags early.	Novak Djokovic is still too inconsistent. He lost early at the French Open and was fortunate to win his grass-court opener in Halle, Germany.	A big backswing and brutal forehand carry Fernando Gonzalez on clay, but his journey on the sleeker grass will be cut short.
Sleeper	A decent draw could see former champ Lleyton Hewitt make a run into the second week. It's been a while since the Aussie made any Grand Slam noise.	German Tommy Haas followed up his fine French Open with a maiden grass-court title in Halle, topping the talented trio of Novak Djokovic, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.	He has all the tools to win on grass, and a trip to the fourth round at the All England Club last season was just the beginning for Marin Cilic.
Winner	Sticking with the storybook theme, Andy Murray will grace the British contingent with the title it has been so desperately waiting for.	Roger Federer is a different player -- mentally -- without the foreboding Nadal looming. Expect a new Grand Slam king at the end of this fortnight.	With the security of a Rafa-less major from the outset, expect Roger Federer's mind to be at ease throughout the fortnight.