WIMBLEDON PREAMBLE

 

Roger Federer was last beaten on the grass courts of the All England Club by Mario Ancic in the first round of 2002. Since then he has been undefeated here in 35 matches, winning 102 sets and losing just eight, and 671 games to 394.

That incredible run has taken Federer to the brink of history, he is just seven victories away from a record sixth consecutive title, one better than Borg.

After last year’s final would anyone have believed that in 2008 the challenge to Federer’s dominance would come on multiple fronts.

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish , Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Radek Stepanek have all beaten the Swiss this year. The world No1, judged against his own high standards, has had a disappointing year with a solitary tournament win.

Of the challengers, Nadal and Djokovic, the world numbers two and three respectively, will be considered the greatest challengers.

Djokovic, the Australian Open champion, has beaten Federer twice in the past 12 months and is the world’s form player. Nadal thrives on his rivalry with Federer, he has closed that gap between them on grass, he must feel — especially given the nature of his victory in the French Open — that he can reel him in.