TODAY AT WIMBLEDON
The Guardian
Tuesday June 27, 2006
Matches of the day Andy Murray v Nicolas Massu The hopes of a nation
will be with the temperamental Scot but he could have done with
a more favourable draw. Massu is seeded 33rd and has two Olympic
titles to his name. "I am probably not going to win it this year,"
said Murray. "So if I lose in the first round or the quarter-final
it doesn’t make a big difference."
Meng Yuan v Justine Henin-Hardenne Is this the Belgian’s year?
Henin-Hardenne’s preparations, usually dogged by injuries, have
been near perfect this year and 2006 may represent her most genuine
opportunity of winning the title. Her Chinese opponent should offer
little threat in this Centre Court opener.
Outside interest Tathiana Garbin v Katie O’Brien The 20-year-old
Briton, whose father is the former Watford full-back Phil O’Brien,
is capable of springing a surprise against her Italian opponent.
Seed in doubt Paul-Henri Mathieu v Mark Philippoussis Philippoussis
may be approaching his 30th birthday but the big serve still sends
a shiver down most players’ spine at the championships. Mathieu is
seeded 32nd and his place will be in serious danger if he is unable
to combat the Scud’s missiles.
Anorak’s corner David Nalbandian, the fourth seed from Argentina who
plays Wesley Moodie, is of Armenian descent. In Persian his surname
means "one who makes horseshoes".