Eddie Keogh / Reuters

Spain's Rafael Nadal came close to winning the Wimbledon men's singles title last year. This year Nadal will accomplish that feat, predicts Bud Collins of NBCSports.com.

Andy Roddick might catch fire but his right shoulder is questionable and if he makes the semifinals and it’s Nadal who’s across the net from him, does the American win that encounter? Nadal has won three of their five career clashes, including the only one they have waged on grass – that being at Queen’s Club this summer.

Also fragile, Andy Murray understands grass and will have Britain behind him — sometimes no fun as Tim Henman found to be the case throughout his career.

The tall Croat Mario Ancic — the last to beat Federer at Wimbledon (in the first round in 2002) — might prove of good value.

American James Blake has displayed little affinity for grass and has a possible fourth-round tilt against Roddick. Like Blake the lawns are not to the liking of Nikolay Davydenko, who could meet up with Roddick in the semifinals.

Richard Gasquet, down two sets and a break, revived to beat Roddick last year at Wimbledon and is, according to Federer, "one of the best to watch." Dangerous is David Nalbandian, a Federer tormentor, and finalist to Hewitt in 2002.

Fun to watch in their mad dashes are Nico Mahut, Radek Stepanek and Gael Monfils, he who gave Federer so much trouble in this year’s French Open semifinals.

A good bet is that curious things will happen during this Wimbledon fortnight because so few know how to conduct themselves on this mysterious stuff called grass.

The crowds will be behind Federer, an admirable champion, in the hope they'll see him catch up with a 19th-century competitor named Willie Renshaw, who won six straight Wimbledon titles from 1881-1886. The draw presents the possible challenge that Federer will have to beat both Djokovic and Nadal to keep his throne. Renshaw — or at least his spirit — will be rooting against King Roger.

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Sharapova ready to take game by storm again

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Headlines

• Label

Djokovic, Federer could meet in French SF again

Serena Williams says sister Venus is 'inspiring'

Sharapova ready to take game by storm again

I lost focus after French Open title, says Li

Monfils pulls out of French Open with knee injury

Almagro beats Simon to reach Open de Nice final

Radwanska reaches final of Belgian Open

Schiavone reaches Strasbourg semifinal