ATP Wimbledon Draw: Preview and Predictions

PROJECTED FIRST QUARTER - N.Djokovic (1) v T. Berdych (6)

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic could face two tricky matches to begin the defence of his Wimbledon title, but will feel confident of going deep into the draw once more.  Djokovic opens up against Juan Carlos Ferrero before a second round match against either Ryan Harrison or Yen-Hsun Lu awaits.  Radek Stepanek will be Djokovic's first seeded opponent, before a straightforward looking match-up in the 4th round.  This section is filled with clay courters so it is unlikely that the highest seeds in Marcel Granollers and Juan Monaco will find their way out of the draw.

Tomas Berdych opens up against the potentially tricky, Ernests Gulbis.  He showed in 2010 that he has the grass court pedigree reaching the Wimbledon final and he should be a threat in this draw.  His first test is likely to come in the 4th round where he could meet either Richard Gasquet or Nicolas Almagro.  Gasquet lost in his first match at Eastbourne, but would be my tip to reach the round of 16 next week.

My QF Prediction - Djokovic v Berdych

PROJECTED SECOND QUARTER - R. Federer (3) v J.Tipsarevic (8)

Roger Federer

Roger Federer has by far the most straightforward draw of the top four players.  He plays the Spaniard, Albert Ramos before potential encounters with Julien Benneteau in round three and then either Giles Simon or Fernando Verdasco in round four.  I think this section could see a number of upsets; Giles Simon plays fellow Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu who has had somewhat of a resurgence in recent months following a long, long spell on the sidelines.  I think he will get through several rounds, as will the qualifier, Michael Russell who could play Julien Benneteau in the second round.

Janko Tipsarevic headlines the second part of this section, which is the most open for sure.  Tipsarevic faces a very tough opener against David Nalbandian, who was shockingly defaulted from last week's Queens final.  This match is really close to call although I would give a slight edge to Tipsarevic.  I particularly like Mikhail Youzhny's chances this week; he plays the out-of-form, Donald Young in the first round and could then take on Tipsarevic in the third round.  The other third round match is projected to be between John Isner and Andreas Seppi.  Isner could meet Nicolas Mahut in the second round for what would be their third Wimbledon clash in as many years... the draw just cannot keep those guys apart!

My QF Prediction - Federer v Youzhny

PROJECTED THIRD QUARTER - D Ferrer (7) v A. Murray (4)

Juan Martin Del Potro

The third quarter is packed with all the dangerous floaters, many of whom will be there to upset Andy Murray! Murray takes on Nikolay Davydenko in the first round, before potentially meeting Ivo Karlovic in the second round, who has had his best results on this surface.  Kevin Anderson is the first seed he is projected to meet, but he takes on Grigor Dimitrov in the first round who beat him at Queens just last week.  My only concern with Dimitrov is whether his fitness can hold up through five set matches.  Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic are Murrays most likely 4th round opponent as the two big servers go head-to-head in the third round.  Sam Querrey is in the section too and could face Raonic in round two... PACKED!

David Ferrer has never had his best results on the grass and will not be feeling confident of improving his record based on his draw.  He takes on the flamboyant, Dustin Brown in the first round.  He could play Andy Roddick in a third round blockbuster clash.  Juan Martin Del Potro headlines the other half of this section and should be strong enough to set up a meeting with either Ferrer or Roddick.  Kei Nishikori makes his return from injury this week and could meet Del Potro in the third round.

My QF Prediction - Del Potro v Raonic

PROJECTED FOURTH QUARTER - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (5) v Rafael Nadal (2)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was disappointing at Queens as he fell in the third round amidst concerns about an injured finger.  He has confirmed he is OK to play and will be thankful of a smart looking draw to help him back-up his semi-final performance from last year.  He plays Lleyton Hewitt in an exciting first round match and could then meet Stan Wawrinka in the third round, just like he did at Roland Garros.  His 4th round opponent is up in the air as he is projected to meet the winner of a third round clash between Mardy Fish and Bernard Tomic.  Fish has been out on the sidelines with heart problems so his chances are somewhat uncertain.  Tomic has struggled with illness and was well below his best in an early exit at Eastbourne earlier this week.

Rafael Nadal opens up his Wimbledon campaign against Thomasz Bellucci.  He has some tough obstacles in his draw and none more so than a potential third round match against Tommy Haas and Philipp Kohlschreiber, who play each other in a tough-as-nails first rounder.  Haas won the title in Halle including a win over Kohlschreiber so I would definitely favour him in that match.  Things would be likely to get easier in the 4th round with Feliciano Lopez and Alexandr Dolgopolov the highest seeds in this section.  I quite like the draw of the American qualifier, Brian Baker who has made a tremendous comeback  to the tour.

My QF Prediction - Tsonga v Nadal

Final Prediction - Rafael Nadal d. Novak Djokovic

The mens is less clear cut this year, but I have stuck safe again and gone for another final between Nadal and Djokovic.  I do not fancy Federer to win Wimbledon; his form throughout the whole of Roland Garros was substandard for him and I feel he is not playing well enough to rival the top two.  Murray too is not on my radar to go far this week because of injuries and a mean looking draw.  I think we could see one or two big breakthroughs this week - potentially Milos Raonic? Although that section has so many up-and-comers ready to shine, it really will be exciting to watch!

You can view my full predictions from start to finish for this years mens Wimbledon draw HERE 

Please feel free to leave comments with your predictions for the mens draw :-)