Steve Darcis has been dominating Rafael Nadal early in their first round match at Wimbledon and after dropping the first two sets he is within stiking distance of a straight sets win and it would be even more pronounced after Nadal lost in the second round last year to Lukas Rosol.

Nadal has been looking so good since coming back and after winning the Frnech Open this would be a huge upset again.  Federer, home favorite Andy Murray and French Open champion Rafa Nadal were all scheduled to begin their campaigns on a cool, grey day in south west London while Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka were the leading ladies in action.

The annual stampede to join the queues was already under way at the crack of dawn with latecomers already being advised to turn around and go home at local railway stations.

With dry conditions forecast for the first of 13 days, those lucky enough to hold showcourt tickets were set to be royally entertained with defending champion Federer opening play on Centre Court against Romania's Victor Hanescu.

Third seed Federer, rated at 8-1 by some bookmakers to hold on to his crown and become the first man to win Wimbledon eight times, sharpened his grasscourt skills by winning the Halle title in the build-up to the championships.

Seven-time Wimbledon winner Federer begins his tournament against Victor Hanescu of Romania at 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT), while Russia's Sharapova takes on Kristina Mladenovic straight after.

Eyes will then focus on last year's runner-up Murray, who begins his search for an elusive Wimbledon crown in a tie with Germany's Benjamin Becker.

Other showcourt feature matches include Rafa Nadal, who has his first round match against Steve Darcis on Court One, while French powerhouse Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays Belgian David Goffin on Court Two.

In the women's singles, world number two Victoria Azarenka meets Maria Joao Koehler and Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki is up against Spain's Estrella Cabeza Candela on Court Three.

(Reuters Quotes)