Tennis: Easy draw can boost Murray’s chances

Jun 21 2008 by Kevin Dinsdale, The Journal

BRITISH number one Andy Murray hopes to “progress deep into the tournament” at Wimbledon this year – and relishes the prospect of lining up against “one of my favourite players in the world” when he takes on veteran Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in the first round next week.

Murray, the world number 11 and 12th seed, was yesterday handed a relatively kind draw, which saw him avoid the big guns until a potential quarter-final clash with French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

The 21-year-old Scot will open his bid to become the first home winner of the men’s singles title at SW19 in 72 years against Santoro, ranked just outside the top 50.

The British number one said: “Fabrice is one of my favourite players in the world. I love watching him play. He uses both hands to play his forehands and backhands and comes up with some very unorthodox shots.”

Should Murray advance, he could then face Xavier Malisse, the Belgian wild card who has struggled with injury, before a possible meeting with 23rd seed Tommy Robredo.

The Scot was avoided two-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick – also in the bottom half of the draw – and if all goes to plan could line up against 2007 semi-finalist Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the fourth round.

Murray has never made a Grand Slam last eight, and, if all matches go to form, would face world number two Nadal in the quarters.

Top seed Roger Federer, seeking a sixth straight title, faces Dominik Hrbaty and could, in round four, come up against Lleyton Hewitt – last man to win Wimbledon before the Swiss dominance.

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, seeded third, plays Michael Berrer, of Germany. The Serb is in the top half of the draw and so in line for a potential semi-final showdown with Federer.

Other British interest includes Alex Bogdanovic, ranked second behind Murray on the national list, set to face Italian Simone Bolelli.

Qualifier Chris Eaton has been drawn against Boris Pashanski of Serbia. If he gets through, the Surrey player could face a tough test by Nicolas Mahut, who reached the final at Queen’s in 2007.

Elsewhere, wild card James Baker will take on Italy’s Stefano Galvani, who came through qualifying.

In the women’s singles, British 19-year-old Naomi Cavaday – another handed a wild card – has a first-round tie with seventh-seeded defending champion Venus Williams. Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is top seed and faces Rossana De Los Rio of Paraguay in the first round.

Serena Williams meets Estonian Kaia Kanepi and could face 2006 winner Amelie Mauresmo in the third round. Another ex-champion, Maria Sharapova, is in the same half of the draw as Venus Williams and second seed Jelena Jankovic.