Djokovic, Federer Headline Day One at Wimbledon

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(June 24th, 2012) Opening day at Wimbledon will feature former No.1's and former champions of the event on the main show courts while the outer courts promise quite a few intriguing first round matches as play commences on the men's side.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will start his 2012 campaign on Centre Court against a former No. 1 in Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero, known primarily for his clay court prowess, actually has reached the quarters of Wimbledon twice and as recently as 2009. But even though the Spainard might test Djokovic at least for a set, it's hard to see Djokovic spending more than three sets in this one.

An interesting fact to note -- Djokovic is trying to be the first man to repeat as champion since Roger Federer did it back in 2007.

Speaking of Federer, some eyebrows were raised when it was announced the No. 3 seed would not be appearing on Centre Court to take on Albert Ramos but instead on Court 1. Though it does mark the first time Federer will play a first round match on another court since 2003, it shouldn't prove to be to big a deal as Federer is expected to roll through the Spaniard in straights. Federer is seeking his seventh Wimbledon title and also to become the seventh man to win seven titles at any Major.

If Federer not being on Centre Court still feels odd to you, then you'll probably find the scheduled match of No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych against Ernests Gulbis on Centre even odder. While Berdych is considered a darkhorse pick this year based on his run to the finals back in 2010, Gulbis, who owns a dismal 6 wins and 11 losses this year, has been tagged with the underachiever label for some time despite winning the L.A. title last year. Will being on the greatest tennis court in the world inspire the Latvian to truly test Berdych? Probably not.

What will the response be from the crowd on Court 1 when David Nalbandian appears to take on No. 8 seed Janko Tipsarevic in the Argentine's first match since his Queen's Club kicking incident? Whatever it is, don't be surprised if Nalbandian pulls off the upset. Another upset could be in the cards for Alejandro Falla who nearly knocked out Federer a few years ago. Falla faces No. 11 seed John Isner on Court 3 and though Isner is 2-0 against the Colombian, it's the first match Isner has played since Paris so expect a few patches of scratchy play from the American.

There's so many intriguing first round matches tomorrow it will be hard to keep up with them all. Fabio Fognini vs. Michael Llodra could be very entertaining while there are several battles between fellow countrymen as France's Paul-Henri Mathieu faces No. 13 seed Gilles Simon while Argentines Leonardo Mayer and No. 15 seed Juan Monaco meet. Will No. 12 seed Nicolas Almagro outlast the always determined Olivier Rochus? Same could be said for No. 17 seed Fernando Verdasco, who is never a given in any match, as he takes on a qualifier in Jimmy Wang. Finally along with Isner, there's quite a few Americans in action including Ryan Harrison, Donald Young, James Blake, Ryan Sweeting and Michael Russell.

No matter how you slice it, tomorrow's first round will be sure to keep you entertained and engaged from the moment play begins at the 126th Wimbledon Championships.