Wimbledon 2013: best matches to watch, day two
Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and British hopefuls Laura Robson and Heather Watson are all in action today at SW19...
Novak Djokovic (SRB)(1) v Florian Mayer (GER) - 2nd on Centre Court
On Centre Court today is top seed and last year's semi-finalist Novak Djokovic, taking on German opponent, Florian Mayer. The Serbian leads their head-to-head 3-0 so don't expect him to follow Nadal's swift exit from the competition, although Mayer's grass-court game should not be entirely discounted. The world number 34 made it to the quarter-finals at last year's tournament, and looked on similarly good form at Wimbledon warm-up Halle in Germany. But Djokovic is supreme on grass and will be looking for a painless start to a campaign that will see him avoid Murray and Federer en route to the final.
Maria Kirilenko (RUS)(10) v Laura Robson (GBR) - 2nd on No.1 Court
Besides Andy Murray's straight sets win, yesterday was not a good showing from the British contingent with Elena Baltacha, James Ward, Anne Keothavong, Kyle Edmund and Samantha Murray all crashing out of the competition. The expectations of today's home crowd rest on the shoulders of two young women: Laura Robson and Heather Watson. Currently ranked 38 in the world, Robson narrowly missed out on a seeding and that leaves her facing no. 10 Maria Kirilenko. The Russian reached last year's quarter-finals but that result represented her best showing in years, while Robson is known for responding to the home support and rising to the occasion. Based on seedings, Kirilenko is expected to progress but Robson will fancy her chances of causing an upset and taking down another top ten player.
Serena Williams (USA)(1) v Mandy Minella (LUX) - 1st on Centre Court
Ask any tennis expert who they're tipping for this year's tournament and it's odds-on their answer will be Serena Williams. The American powerhouse has been back in fine form this season, recovering from her quarter-final loss at the Australian Open to cruise to a straight sets victory over Maria Sharapova in the final at Roland Garros. The pair have since become embroiled in a public spat following comments Serena made to Rolling Stone magazine but the world number one will be looking to forget her recent controversy as she steps out on Centre today to defend her title. Ranked no. 92 in the world, 27-year-old Minella isn't expected to give her much bother so expect Serena to make swift work of her opponent and progress into the second round.
Heather Watson (GBR) v Madison Keys (USA) - 1st on No.2 Court
Today's second British hopeful Heather Watson faces another difficult draw against dangerous young American Madison Keys. Watson's recent bout of glandular fever and subsequent lack of grass court preparation may leave her at a disadvantage against the unseeded 18-year-old, who beat Li Na in Madrid before making it through three rounds of this month's Aegon Classic. But Keys has suffered from a virus of her own over the weekend leaving her homebound so today's clash will likely be a battle of health as much as it is tennis.
Sam Querrey (USA)(21) v Bernard Tomic (AUS) - 2nd on No.3 Court
As a young qualifier at Wimbledon back in 2011, Tomic raced to the quarter-finals but recent controversies have attracted more attention than his tennis: his father and coach John was banned from attending matches after he assaulted Bernard's former training partner, Thomas Drouet, at the Madrid Masters. It will be interesting to see how John's absence affects his 20-year-old son, currently ranked at 59. He'll begin his campaign against American number one Sam Querrey who has never made it past Wimbledon's fourth round. With both players in possession of booming serves, expect a power tussle for a place in the second round.
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