Top contenders for the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, with seeds:
MEN
The Favorite
No. 1 ROGER FEDERER
Age: 26. Country: Switzerland Major titles: 12
Topspin: Going for a sixth straight Wimbledon title. In the past 100 years, only Federer and Bjorn Borg (1976-80) have won five in a row . . . Seeks his 13th major title, one shy of Pete Sampras’ record of 14 . . . Has won 59 straight matches on grass, the longest streak in the 40-year Open era . . . Ranked No. 1 since Feb. 2, 2004, the longest consecutive stay atop the rankings.
The Challenger
No. 2 RAFAEL NADAL
Age: 22. Country: Spain
Major titles: Four
Topspin: Second man to win four consecutive French Open titles (Borg did it from 1978-81) . . . This year’s French Open win vs. Federer was most lopsided men’s Grand Slam final since 1984 . . . Last week became the first Spanish man in 36 years to win a grass-court title, beating Novak Djokovic in the Queen’s Club final . . . Lost Wimbledon final to Federer last two years.
The Bridesmaid
No. 3 NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Age: 21. Country: Serbia Major titles: One
Topspin: Has lost to Nadal in his past three tournaments . . . Semifinalist or better at each of past five major championships.
The Mystery
No. 4 NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
Age: 28. Country: RussiaMajor titles: None
Topspin: Second to Nadal on the men’s tour in match victories this year . . . ATP still investigating irregular betting on a match he played in August 2007.
The Cowboy
No. 6 ANDY RODDICK
Age: 25. Country: USA
Major titles: One
Topspin: Missed French Open with a shoulder injury . . . Has wins over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic this year . . . Ranks second on tour with 380 aces.
WOMEN
The Breakthrough
No. 1 ANA IVANOVIC
Age: 20. Country: Serbia
Major titles: One
Topspin: Climbed to No. 1 in the rankings for the first time after winning the French Open, her first major title . . . Withdrew from a warm-up tournament citing mental fatigue and an injured right abductor muscle . . . Reached the final in three of the last five major events . . . Lost to eventual champion Venus Williams in Wimbledon semifinals last year.
The Wannabe
No. 2 JELENA JANKOVIC
Age: 23. Country: Serbia
Major titles: None
Topspin: Lost to Ivanovic in the semifinals at French Open, making her 0-4 in Grand Slam semifinals . . . Leads the women’s tour in match victories this year.
The Gold Standard
No. 3 MARIA SHARAPOVA
Age: 21. Country: Russia
Major titles: Three
Topspin: Semifinalist or better in eight of her last 12 majors, including two titles . . . Blew a big lead and lost in the fourth round of the French Open . . . Took over top ranking in May when Justine Henin retired, then lost it after the French Open.
The Kid Sister
No. 6 SERENA WILLIAMS
Age: 26. Country: USA
Major titles: Eight
Topspin: Hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final since winning the 2007 Australian Open . . . Most recent match was upset loss to Katarina Srebotnik in third round of French Open.
The Mainstay
No. 7 VENUS WILLIAMS
Age: 28. Country: USA
Major titles: Six
Topspin: Wimbledon’s lowest-ranked women’s champion at No. 31 with her win last year . . . Hasn’t played since third-round upset loss at French Open . . . Last made a final in October, but has reached Wimbledon final six of last eight years.
Steven Wine, The Associated Press and Denver Post staff
