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Wimbledon gears up for great showdown

Updated: 2011-06-20 14:14

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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Extremely competitive and spectacular matches are expected as year's third Grand Slam starts on Monday

Wimbledon gears up for great showdown

 

Nadal aims blow at Federer dream

Roger Federer can picture himself lifting a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title, but can also sense the dangers posed by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Federer, now without a Grand Slam title since his 16th major at the 2010 Australian Open, was stunned by the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals last year, as his attempt to match Pete Sampras' record of seven titles was shattered

It was his earliest exit at the All England Club since his first-round loss to Mario Ancic in 2002.

But the 29-year-old Swiss has been buoyed by his unexpected run to the French Open final, where he came up short against Nadal, after ending Novak Djokovic's 43-match winning streak in the semifinals... [Full story]

Williams sisters loom over event

Serena and Venus Williams aim to maintain a decade of dominance at Wimbledon from Monday with their fearsome reputations so established that even world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki is desperate to avoid contact.

At least one Williams sister has appeared in 10 of the last 11 women's singles finals, when Venus downed Lindsay Davenport in straight sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam triumph.

Since then the sisters have turned Wimbledon into a personal fiefdom, winning the title on nine occasions - Serena with four, Venus with five... [Full story]

2011 Wimbledon at glance

Wimbledon gears up for great showdown

Surface: Grass courts.
Site: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
2010 Men's Singles Champion:
Rafael Nadal of Spain.
2010 Women's Singles Champion:
Serena Williams of the United States.
Prize Money:
Total is 14.6 million pounds ($23.5 million);
1.1 million pounds ($1.77 million) each to the men's and women's singles champions. 

Wimbledon gears up for great showdown

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