Can Federer pull off the Euro double?
Updated: June 19, 2009, 3:54 PM ET
ESPN.com
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. |
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2009 WIMBLEDON
Women's singles: Serena Williams, United States
Men's singles:
Roger Federer, Switzerland
Men's doubles: Daniel Nestor, Canada, and Nenad Zimonjic, Serbia
Women's doubles: Venus and Serena Williams, United States
Mixed doubles: Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Germany and Mark Knowles, Bahamas
Scoreboard
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Slam Central
Day 13
- Federer tops Roddick for record 15th Slam
- Garber: Federer needs OT to win
- Garber: Roddick never loses resolve
- Garber: Federer-Sampras timeline
- Ubha: Top Wimbledon finals
- Photo Gallery: Federer's road to 15
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 13
- Laver: True Grand Slam still possible
- Sampras happy for Federer

- Collins and Reilly on Federer's win

- Former champions reflect on Federer

- Men's final highlight

- Knowles-Groenefeld win mixed doubles
Day 12
- Serena topples Venus for third Wimby title
- Garber: Serena swipes title from Venus
- Ubha: Yankee Doodle Dandy for U.S. tennis
- Ubha: What now for Roddick?
- Writers' roundup: Who will win the final?
- Nestor-Zimonjic win men's doubles
- Williams sisters win doubles
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog
- Bud Collins on Serena's win

- Keys to Serena's victory

- Serena speaks after winning

- Serena on Wimbledon win

- Roddick's Grand Slam drought

Day 11
- Federer, Roddick to meet in final
- Garber: Roddick crushes hopes of British
- Williams sisters reach women's doubles final
- Garber: Unlikely union of Federer-Sampras
- Writers' roundup: Who will win the final?
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 11
- Bodo: Which sister is in better form?
- Federer defeats Haas in three

- Brad Gilbert instant analysis

- Roddick speaks after win

- Digital Serve

- Roddick speaks after win

Day 10
- Williams sisters to meet in final
- Blake, Fish ousted in men's doubles semis
- Ubha: Serena in a fist fight until the end
- Ubha: Drama unfolds in Serena's win
- Garber: England finally embracing Murray
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 10
- Vote: Who will win the Venus-Serena final?
- Serena Williams advances to final

- Mary Joe's take on Serena

- Venus crushed Dementieva

- Serena speaks after epic win

- Ode to Wimbledon

- Men's semifinal preview

- Bud and Ravi preview semifinals

Day 9
- Federer, Haas, Murray, Roddick reach semis
- Garber: Roddick triumphs in five-setter
- Ubha: Women's semifinal preview
- Garber: Wimby semis not enough for Haas
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 9
- Number of Wimbledon flu cases up to 28
- Head racket stringer ready for finals
- Haas upsets Djokovic

- Williams sisters reach doubles semifinals

- Federer rolls over Karlovic

- Roddick defeats Hewitt

- Murray moves on

- Bud's take on Federer

- Women's semifinal preview

- Roddick reaches semifinals

- Reilly on the hopes of Andy Murray

Day 8
- Semis: Williams sisters, Safina, Dementieva
- Garber: Will Safina rise to the occasion?
- Garber: Age is just a number for this trio
- Ubha: Men's quarterfinal preview
- Hewitt isn't ready to act his age
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 8
- Ivanovic told to rest after tearing muscle
- Digital Serve

- Venus, Serena advance

- Comparing the sisters

- Shuffle at the top

- Old school, new school

- Andy Roddick's pursuit

- Day 8 recap

- Serena sails to semis

- Quarterfinal's preview

- Collins on Williams sisters

Day 7
- Women | Men
- Garber: Murray delivers stirring win
- Garber: Federer's results unmatched
- Ubha: Women's quarterfinal preview
- Ubha: Injured Williamses show no ill effects
- Tandon: Wimbledon live blog -- Day 7
- Centre Court roof closes for first time
- Officials downplay swine flu fears
- Evert: Women's 'grunting' out of hand
- Federer feeling good after win

- Williamses, Federer win

- Roddick rolls over Berdych

- Bud and Ravi preview Day 8

- Bud Collins on the thriving Germans

- Murray survives under the roof

Yes, 

The grass is greener for
At 29, this is
On a high from his French Open final showing, the six-packed
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.
A decent draw could see former champ
German
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