Tennis: Djokovic opens Wimbledon action

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Tennis: Djokovic opens Wimbledon action

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It is going to be a good first round match, Novak Djokovic said.

25 June,2012 10:29 am

World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic opens Wimbledon 2012 on Centre Court on Monday, wary of the threat posed by former French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrero.Djokovic, who defeated Rafael Nadal in last years final for a maiden victory at the All England Club, hasnt played since losing to the Spaniard in the final at Roland Garros two weeks ago.That defeat ended his hopes of becoming just the third man to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once.Djokovic split his first two meetings with former world number one Ferrero, but hasnt played the Spaniard in five years.He definitely has a lot of experience playing on the big stage, so Im not underestimating him, thats for sure, said Djokovic.Its going to be a good first round match. Everybody who follows tennis, especially us, the tennis players, we really respect him a lot.After everything he has been through, he is still trying to go back to the top. He is always dangerous. If you look at him now, I think hes playing equally well as he was playing four, five years ago. Now its just a matter of his fitness obviously and his confidence on the court.Womens number one Maria Sharapova, who completed a career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open, is second-up on Centre Court where she meets Australias Anastasia Rodionova.Sharapova, the 2004 champion, has beaten Rodionova four times in four meetings without dropping a set.On Court One, six-time champion Roger Federer begins his campaign against Spanish left-hander Albert Ramos.Unseeded Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, who will retire after the US Open, meets fellow former world number one Jelena Jankovic, the 18th seed.Five-time champion Venus Williams tackles Elena Vesnina while Chinas former French Open winner Li Na takes on Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan.