A full schedule of matches were supposed to be completed but Day One of the 2006 edition of Wimbledon was washed out with just a few matches which got underway Monday at The All England Club.
In progress was three-time defending men's champion Roger Federer. The 24 year-old Swiss world number was leading Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3, 1-2 before rain halted play. After falling short in his bid to capture the French Open and become only the sixth man to ever win a career Grand Slam, Federer aims for his fourth consecutive Wimbledon. If he is successful, he'll become the first player since Pete Sampras to accomplish the feat.
However, it won't be an easy path. Assuming he gets by Gasquet, standing in the way could be fan favorite Tim Henman. The popular 31 year-old Brit enters play unseeded for the first time in a decade. If he can defeat Swede Robin Soderling, then a second round encounter with Federer looms. Possibly in his final year attempting to become the first British player to capture the title since Fred Perry in 1936, he's certain to have tons of support which would make for a great atmosphere.
If Federer can overcome that potential matchup along with the elements, he should cruise through the third round before possibly meeting Czech Tomas Berdych in the Round of 16. The 20 year-old 13th seed possesses a huge serve and a wicked forehand which could serve well on the fast playing grass surface. At Roland Garros, he was eliminated by Federer in the same round. It could be a chance for revenge.
The biggest threat to a Federer four-peat in his section is Mario Ancic. The 22 year-old seventh seeded Croatian was the last man to defeat Federer in London, upsetting him in the first round back in 2002. A semifinalist two years ago, Ancic has the kind of big game that could threaten the seven-time slam winner. With a booming serve, solid groundstrokes and a deft touch at the net, he has all the tools necessary to win his first major. If he is to finally breakthrough, he'll have to go through the best to reach the Final Four. Only talented teens Gael Monfils (21) and Novak Djokovic could stand in the way of a quarterfinal clash between Ancic and Federer.
The winner of that should meet either David Nalbandian or American James Blake. The fourth seeded Nalbandian was a runner up four years ago. If fully recovered from a left stomach strain which forced him to retire against Federer at the French Open semis three weeks ago, the Argentine has a solid baseline game which should fare well on grass. With just Juan Carlos Ferrero (24) and Radek Stepanek (14) as potential fourth round opponents, Nalbandian shouldn't have much trouble reaching the quarters.
For the 26 year-old eighth seeded Blake who has never advanced past the second round, he has a golden opportunity to change that. Already having reached his first grasscourt final a week ago before falling to Lleyton Hewitt at Queen's Club, the Yonkers native is capable of playing well on this surface. With lethal groundstrokes, an improving serve and tons of speed, he should finally make the third round where he could face Paul-Henri Mathieu (32) or Max Mirnyi. He should have enough to get through and meet either Thomas Johansson (12) or Jonas Bjorkman in the Round of 16. Both Swedes are excellent players on grass who will be meeting in the first round. Either should test Blake.
Making up the first part of another semi could be either Andy Roddick or Lleyton Hewitt. Both are excellent players on this surface who have had success. The third seeded Roddick has been runner up the last two years while the sixth seeded Hewitt was the last player other than Federer to prevail at Wimbledon four years ago when he defeated Nalbandian.
Both come in with something to prove. The 23 year-old Roddick hasn't won a title since last summer. He hasn't gotten past the fourth round at a slam since last year at the All England Club. Meanwhile, Hewitt won his first title this year at Queen's. After dealing with a foot problem during the first part of the season which hurt his ranking, the 25 year-old Aussie is healthy at the right time and appears primed to make another run at a third career slam.
Both shouldn't have any trouble the first two rounds but could get tested in Round 3. Roddick could meet either British teen Andy Murray or Chilean Nicolas Massu (31) while Hewitt might face Belgian Olivier Rochus (26). Both should make each work to reach Week 2.
Roddick could meet Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean (15) in the Round of 16. Though he's struggled this season, Grosjean usually fares better on grass and can threaten the American. Australian Open runner up Cypriot Marcus Baghdatis (18) is also in that part of the draw but he has not been the same since then and shouldn't be expected to go very far.
Hewitt could play one of Fernando Gonzalez (10), David Ferrer (23) or the first round winner between Brit Greg Rusedski or Russian Marat Safin. All are capable of making the second week. It just depends on who is playing well.
Either way, if both Roddick and Hewitt are playing to form, they should setup an exciting quarterfinal which would be a toss up.
The fourth section is one where upsets are possible. Just the kind of bracket American Andre Agassi could make a dent in and go out with a bang in his final Wimbledon. Having announced this past weekend that this along with the U.S. Open will be his final slams, the popular 36 year-old eight-time slam winner will give everything he has into capturing a second Wimbledon.
At the tournament where it all began back in 1992 when he outlasted Goran Ivanisevic in five sets to capture his first ever major at 22, it's a chance to say goodbye and write a final chapter. It should be an emotional rollercoaster ride for the tennis legend who has won 60 career titles. With a remarkable record of 864-270 and earnings of more than $31 million, he has done it all.
Standing in Agassi's way is French Open champ Rafael Nadal. A repeat winner at Roland Garros, the second seeded 20 year-old Spaniard has yet to prove he can go far on grass. Eliminated by Gilles Muller in the second round last year, Nadal will try to go further and setup a potential third round matchup with Agassi. The winner should cruise into the quarters.
On the other side of the bracket is French Open semifinalist Ivan Ljubicic. However, the fifth seeded Croat will get a stiff challenge right away against 2005 quarterfinalist Feliciano Lopez. Lopez has a big serve and kniving groundstrokes which should make for a competitive opening round match.
Assuming he gets thru that, American Justin Gimelstob could challenge him as well. He loves to attack the net and is a fun player to watch.
The biggest threats to Ljubicic are Russian Dmitry Tursunov (27) and Finn Jarkko Nieminen (22). Both are capable and could challenge Ljubicic.
Ninth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko is a potential Round of 16 opponent but he's never made it past Round 2.
It's hard to pick against Ljubicic here but for some reason, he might not make it to the quarters. If Tursunov plays him in the third round, that could be an upset. The Russian has continued to improve and grass seems to be his best surface. Either will be in the quarters against Nadal or Agassi.
Semifinals: We're taking Ancic to upset Federer in the quarters and setup one semifinal against Nalbandian. Roddick has never beaten Hewitt in a big match. Look for that to continue. This might seem storybook but I like Agassi over Nadal and to reach the Final Four and meet Hewitt.
Picking The Final: Ancic against Nalbandian is a clash in styles. One is a big server while the other is a great returner. I'll take the big server in Ancic to reach his first Grand Slam final.
Agassi against Hewitt pits two similar style players against each other. Both are great baseliners who love to grind it out and frustrate opponents. Both don't possess big serves but rely on placement. Each hits with precision and is fun to watch. But in this one, we'll take the younger Hewitt to prevail and reach his second Wimbledon final.
2006 Wimbledon Men's Champion: Mario Ancic, Croatia. It's Ancic's time to shine. He's always had enough game to win a major and this fast surface suits him well. Hewitt will put up a great battle but just like against Safin at the 2005 Australian Open, he should be outgunned. I'll take Ancic in four sets to win his first ever slam title.
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