It takes three to tango

LONDON: Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal are being tipped as the only players who can prevent Roger Federer from claiming a fifth successive Wimbledon title.

Just as Nadal has proved unbeatable on the red clay of Paris, so Federer is equally dominant on the grass of the All England Club where he is on a 28-match winning streak. Many in the game believe that of the three, Roddick, with a fourth Queen’s Club title under his belt and with former double Wimbledon champion Jimmy Connors in his corner, has the best opportunity. But the American, twice a runner-up to Federer in 2004 and 2005 and losing semi-finalist in 2003, is wary of the threat posed by the world number one still smarting from his latest Roland Garros disappointment.

“He’s been in the final of one Grand Slam this year and won the other one without dropping a set. If that makes someone less of a player, I’d like to know where to sign up for that,” said the world number three. Roddick is right to be cautious; his career record against Federer reads 13 defeats and just one win. US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe believes Roddick will be especially motivated by having been knocked out in the third round by Andy Murray last year.

“He’s aware his best time of the year is coming up. I think you have to put him in as a solid No. 3, behind Nadal, who’s just slightly ahead, based on confidence level. I believe this is Andy’s best chance to win a Slam,” McEnroe told ESPN. Fellow American Jim Courier, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, also thinks Roddick has a hope if he can take the game to Federer. “First, you have to hope for him (Federer) to have an off day,” Courier told Fox Sports.

“On faster surfaces, if you can take the racket away from him and make it so he can’t be creative, you have a chance. You need to blast winners, play high-risk tennis and overpower him. If he can play his game, you’re dead, because he moves the best, has more variety than everyone and has incredible confidence. Roddick is being more aggressive with his return since Jimmy became his coach last summer. And while he is not a natural volleyer, Roddick doesn’t shy away from the net. With the win at Queen’s, his confidence should be high, too.” Hewitt, the 2002 champion, can boast a better record against Federer — seven wins against 11 defeats - but his last victory was a marathon five-set triumph in the Davis Cup, four long years ago. “There’s a whole lot of guys who can win Wimbledon,” said the Australian. “Obviously, Roger’s going to be the favourite, and I put myself in that next category.” Hewitt has been building up his physical strength, working with Andre Agassi’s former trainer Gil Reyes. Michael Stich, the 1991 Wimbledon champion, is one man tipping the Australian, who could face Federer in the fourth round.

“Mentally, he’s very strong and very fit. This year he’s picked it up again,” said the German. Triple French Open champion Nadal stunned everyone by making the Wimbledon final in 2006, but he has played down his chances of a repeat especially after a third round defeat at Queen’s last week.

“The best preparation is to have the same as when you are going to the US Open. You have three, four tournaments,” said the Spaniard. “To adapt to grass in one week is always difficult. If you do well at Roland Garros, it’s very difficult have a good preparation for Wimbledon.”