Murray mania more hype than realistic hope

WIMBLEDON:THERE ARE some people in London who believe the world number one Roger Federer and his possible nemesis Rafael Nadal are this week's high-wire acts. With the weather promising to be diametrically opposite to that defoliating the trees of Ireland, sunshine is expected to greet Andy Murray's assault on the championship for the first few days of the opening week. Murray mania has gripped the capital before the first sharp shots have been fired. Step aside, Roger and Rafa.

The young Scott has seamlessly assumed the hype and expectation Tim Henman managed well for a decade but failed to satisfy. And guess what? Murray is not even on court today.

But who cares? The British public have already warmed to his sullen, profanity-laden game and his surly temperament, not to mention his refreshing capacity to say things aloud that might be best kept private. But that, unlike Henman's measured views, makes him interesting.

Murray talked himself into the fourth round at Roland Garros and departed in the second. He has spoken too about winning Wimbledon but should be cautioned that the public do not need encouragement to hyperventilate or inflate his chances. The kid has talent but if he lasts the first week, he should be honoured as a Highland king.

Tradition determines the champion from last year and in the case of Federer, the preceding four years too, has the honour of opening on the main stage. The top dog Federer and the French Open champion and current prima diva Ana Ivanovic should stir some interest on Centre Court, along with the Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, the young Serb third seed. Djokovic, seems ready to illustrate why he is biting on the heels of the Swiss champion and the heavily armed Spanish galleon Nadal.

The Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty has never been further than the third round but is capable, if Federer shows signs of frailty. The first week is deemed treacherous for good reason, and the grass at Halle, where Federer won a pre-Wimbledon title, is vastly different from that on Centre Court, even if the latter has become his sitting-room.

Ivanovic faces Rossana de los Rios from Paraguay, who usually lasts less time than it takes to say her name, while Djokovic plays Michael Berrer from Germany, whose best run is second round.

The winner in 2002 and 2003 and regular crowd pleaser Serena Williams opens on Court One in the women's singles with Estonia's Kaia Kanepi, who made the second round last year.

The elder of the Williamses, Venus, is the title holder, but as usual the two Americans come to London under the radar.

Around the outside courts a variety of names are scheduled to entertain fans without stadium-court tickets. The popular Marat Safin plays the Italian Fabio Fognini on court 11; Amélie Mauresmo has a tricky game against Ashley Harkleroad.

The American Harkleroad has not made it past second base here but hit a home run as the first tennis pin-up in August's edition of Playboy. Tastefully done of course. Welcome to Wimbledon.

ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court, 1pm: (1) R Federer (Swi) v D Hrbaty (Svk), 2 (1) A Ivanovic (Srb) v R De Los Rios (Par), (3) N Djokovic (Srb) v M Berrer (Ger)

Court 1, 1pm: 1 K Kanepi (Est) v (6) S Williams (USA); (20) 2 L Hewitt (Aus) v R Haase (Ned); F Dancevic (Can) v (7) D Nalbandian (Arg)

Court 2, noon: (10) M Baghdatis (Cyp) v S Darcis (Bel); (4) S Kuznetsova (Rus) v M Johansson (Fra); 3 S Stakhovsky (Ukr) v (5) D Ferrer (Spn); (11) M Bartoli (Fra) v S Lisicki (Ger)