Wimbledon 2015 men's preview: Can anyone outside the Big 4 win the title this time?

Who will win the coveted Wimbledon title this year?

Wimbledon is finally upon us. The Championships, as it is called, is one of the most eagerly awaited events on the tennis calendar with the whole world keeping a keen eye on the happenings at SW19.

The draw for the tournament was announced on Friday and all attention hovered on the fortunes of the Big 4 – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. No one outside these four has raised the Wimbledon trophy since 2003, with Federer winning it seven times, Nadal and Djokovic twice apiece and Murray winning it in 2013.

Djokovic and Wawrinka likely to have a good tournament

Novak Djokovic will look to continue his good form into Wimbledon

World No. 1 Djokovic has a tough opener against Philipp Kohlscreiber, whose only win against the Serb in seven meetings came at the 2009 French Open. The German was close to causing an upset against eventual Halle champion Federer in the first round earlier this month.

It will be a test for the 8-time Grand Slam champion who hasn’t played any warm-up tournament leading up to Wimbledon. If he gets past the German, the likes of Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, John Isner and Kei Nishikori can stop the Serb from making it to the last four.

Although Djokovic has avoided the other three of the big 4 until the semifinal, reigning French Open champion Stan Wawrinka might be his opponent in the last four.

Stan Wawrinka can take out any player on his day

Wawrinka has improved his recorded against the Big 4 in recent times and wil carry his confidence from Paris to Wimbledon. A Djokovic-Wawrinka semifinal will be a mouth watering clash if their matches at Grand Slams over the past couple of years are anything to go by.

The Swiss’ path to the semifinals isn’t all that easy either, though. Upcoming players Dominic Thiem and David Goffin can threaten him on grass. If he gets past the fourth round, Milos Raonic or Grigor Dimitrov, semifinalists from last year, could meet him in the quarterfinals.

It will be interesting to see Raonic’s progress in the tournament as he is returning from a right foot injury. Grigor Dimitrov will be looking to make some noise at Wimbledon after his first round exit at Roland Garros last month.

Raonic vs Nick Kyrgios, a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal, will likely be an exciting third round clash to look forward to this year.

Predicted semifinal: Djokovic vs Wawrinka

Hard to see Federer and Murray not reaching the last four

Roger Federer poses with his seventh Halle title

Federer, who is aiming to win a record eighth Wimbledon title, has been handed a favourable draw; he will face Damir Dzumhur in the first round. American Jack Sock, who reached the fourth round at French Open before losing to Nadal in four sets, will be looking forward to meeting the Swiss ace in the third round.

Federer’s next two opponents could be Feliciano Lopez and Tomas Berdych in the fourth round and quarterfinal respectively. The 17-time Grand Slam champion seems all set to make it deep into the second week yet again.

Andy Murray is heading into Wimbledon in better shape than 2013

Murray and Nadal are in the same half as Federer, and one of these two will face the Swiss maestro in the semifinal. The Scot, who is coming off a win at Queen’s Club for the fourth time, faces Mikhail Kukushkin in the first round.

The World No. 3 will likely not face any major trouble until the fourth round, where Jo-Wilfried Tsonga might be his opponent.

Rafael Nadal poses with his third Stuttgart title

Nadal, who is bidding for a third Wimbledon title, won his first grasscourt title in five years at Stuttgart earlier this month. He suffered a first round loss to Alexandr Dolgopolov at Queens, but featured in doubles to get more match time on grass.

The Spaniard faces Thomaz Bellucci in his opener and is expected to reach the fourth round where he could take on his compatriot David Ferrer. It will be tough for Nadal to make it to the final with Murray playing some of his finest tennis at the moment.

Predicted semifinal: Federer vs Murray

I do not foresee any major upsets in the men’s draw in the first week. The top seeds will likely progress to the last eight, and one of the top four seeds will likely emerge as the champion. But which of the Big 4 will lift the trophy this time? Your guess is as good as mine.