Rafael Nadal’s bid to dethrone Roger Federer at Wimbledon faces a tough early test after the Spanish second-seed was drawn with experiencd American Mardy Fish in the first round of the men’s singles. Fish has a good track record on grass and is a former finalist at the Nottingham Open, one of the Wimbledon warm-up tournaments played on the surface. Today’s draw pitted Federer, bidding for a fifth straight title at the All England club, with Russia’s Teimuraz Gabashvili. Third seed Andy Roddick opens his campaign with an all-America meeting with Justin Gimelstob while hopes of British success on home soil were dampened by tough draws for Any Murray and Tim Henman. Murray, who remains doubtful for the tournament because of a wrist injury, faces tricky Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti while Henman, with only two wins under his belt this year, must take on former French Open champion Carlos Moya. In the women’s singles, defending champion Amelie Mauresmo of France has a testing start to the defence of her title with a match against American Jamea Jackson, who can count a victory over Maria Sharapova as part of her record on grass. Jackson beat the 2004 Wimbledon champion on her way to the final at Birmingham last year. Top seed Justine Henin of Belgium will not expect to be unduly delayed by Argetinian qualfier Jorglina Craveo in her opening match while Sharapova opens against Taiwan’s Chan Yung-Jan. Two-time champion Serena Williams plays Lourdes Dominguez-Lino of Spain while her sister Venus faces Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia.
