Roger Federer may be the second ranked player on the tour but he has reached the finals in the last seven Wimbledon tournaments.  He has won six of those memorable battles, including the courageous heavyweight five setter last year.  Not even the tour’s top ranked Rafa Nadal can equal that claim on his favorite red clay of Roland Garros.

It seems tournament organizers believe that Nadal’s rise to the top spot is based on his magnificent accomplishments during the 2010 clay court season.  His early exodus from Eastbourne two weeks ago seemingly answered any questions about his all court play.

Even the bookmakers agree and have installed the consistent Federer as the early line 11/8 favorite.  Nadal looms as a strong 5/2 second choice with Andy Murray at 6/1 and last year’s finalist Andy Roddick at 12/1.

How Murray rates consideration is a mystery.  On the other hand, Roddick’s strong hard court season and his ever-improving one-handed backhand slice make him a solid choice.

Indeed, the homestanding Murray has played without passion or commitment since losing in the finals at Melbourne.  He has given little reason to deserve the fourth seed and even less reason to suggest he will have any success under the scrutiny of the London tabloids.

Despite an early draw featuring French clay court player Gilles Simon, we see Murray tanking under pressure from hard serving American Sam Querrey, the Eastbourne champion, in the round of sixteen.  It probably will hurt Murray that the Brit Soccer team has only scored one goal in two World Cup games and the press will surely be all over the overpaid, over-rated underachiever.

In the Murray bracket, 8^th seeded Fernando Verdasco will most likely meet Jo Willy-Cannot-Get-It-Done-Tsonga in the round of sixteen.  This dream-come- true bracket is perfectly suited for the flashy Fernando, who should emerge past Querrey into the semis.

The tour’s hottest player is second seeded Rafa Nadal.  The draw committee did not do the Spaniard any favors.  In the round of sixteen, Rafa will probably meet 6’9” serving specialist and outstanding hard court rival John Isner, who is not a bad bet at 66/1.  If Nadal wins that match, he will earn the right to face Robin Soderling in the quarters.  We like Isner all the way through to the finals.

In the top bracket, Roger looks solid.  Danger lurks with Jurgen Melzer in the round of sixteen and old rival and sometimes victor 7^th seed in the quarters.  Federer should advance but Davydenko will not go away easily.

With any luck that will set up a semifinal pairing with the dangerous Roddick who will have to work past Marin Cilic in the 16’s and 3^rd seeded Djokovic, who few take seriously, in the quarters.  We like Roddick to make up for last year’s heartbreaker in the finals.  However, we expect youth to triumph and Isner to win the Wimbledon crown.  Wow!  That would sting the one-time soccer power.