The Hindu : Sport : Easy opener for Federer

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Saturday, Jun 23, 2007
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Easy opener for Federer

P. Subramanyam

Mario Ancic and Li Na withdraw

London: Roger Federer, the No. 1 seed aiming for a fifth straight Wimbledon title, has been drawn to open his campaign against Russia’s Teimuraz Gabashvili in the first round.

The All England Club at Wimbledon announced the draw for this year’s Wimbledon matches to be played from Monday.

Second seed Rafael Nadal will be tested by Mardy Fish in the first round and third seed Andy Roddick is up against compatriot Justin Gimlestob. Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion, takes on Briton Richard Bloomfield.

Andy Murray will face Nicolas Lapentti if the British No. 1 recovers from injury in time to play.

The 20-year-old, seeded eight, has been out of action since May 15 with a wrist injury.

Murray and Lapentti have never played before but the Scot is expected to beat the World No. 63 from Ecuador, although his fitness leaves a major question mark.

Henman meets Moya

Tim Henman has been drawn against 1998 French Open champion, Carlos Moya of Spain, who is seeded 25th. Moya holds a 5-4 lead over Henman in career meetings but they have not played since 2003 and never on grass.

Queen’s Club hero, Nicolas Mahut came through qualifying for Wimbledon winning three matches at Roehampton.

Amongst the women’s singles, Amelie Mauresmo of France will begin the defence of her title against America’s Jamea Jackson.

Top seed, Justine Henin faces a qualifier, Jorgelina Cravero, while Russia’s Maria Sharapova takes on Yung-Jan Chan.

Sania faces Shevdova

India’s Sania Mirza will take on Russia’s Yaroslava Shevdova in the first round

The All-England Club announced late on Thursday that Croatia’s Mario Ancic withdrew from the championships because of continued illness. He was replaced in the draw by Canadian Frank Dancevic.

China’s Li Na also pulled out of the women’s draw with a rib injury and would be replaced by Alize Cornet of France.

Earlier this week, the struggling former French Open champion, Gaston Gaudio, had pulled out and his withdrawal was preceded by that of former Wimbledon semifinalist, Xavier Malisse, at the weekend.

Jurgen Melzer, Paradorn Srichaphan and Jose Acasuso have already pulled out of the third Grand Slam of the year.

Russia’s Anastasia Myskina, the 2004 French Open champion, is also out, as is compatriot and World No.19, Vera Zvonareva, who has a wrist injury.

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