Baseliners eye latter stages
The slower Wimbledon courts and heavier balls have given rise to speculation that traditional baseliners have a bigger chance of progressing at SW19.
The slick grass surfaces at the All England Club have provided happy hunting grounds for serve-and-volleyers but the advantage of being able to take the ball early at the net isn't what is was according to odds-man Ivan Stojanovic.
"The courts this year are definitely playing slower than ever before and if you combine that with the heavier balls they are now using it is no surprise to see some of the baseliners really fancying their chances," said Stojanovic.
"You only have to look at how Henman struggled against Nieminen in the first round to see how baseliners are able to put the serve-and-volleyers in trouble.
"French Open champion Rafael Nadal is as pure a baseliner as you will come across and he looks to have really taken to the new Wimbledon surface.
"The slower courts give these guys that extra bit more time to pick their shots."

22/6/2005