First Hurdle Fallers Look Forward to Wimbledon

When players are knocked out of the French Open they immediately start looking forward to Wimbledon. Preparations for the short grass court season start instantly and it is no coincidence that the players who fall early on the clay of the French Open men's draw often look forward to feeling grass under their feet, such is the difference between the surfaces.

Andy Roddick did not even make it to the first round at Roland Garros, pulling out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury. No one highlights the difference between clay and grass more than the American; Roddick has one fourth round appearance in Paris to his name, but has reached three Wimbledon finals, as well as winning Queen's four times. Those following the Wimbledon tennis betting  won't be expecting him to have a huge impact this year, as he struggles with injury.

Tomas Berdych reached the final at SW19 last year and should expect another decent run, and although he has a good clay court game, his big serve and flat ground strokes make him ideally suited to grass. Marin Cilic was a surprise early departure from Paris and despite his poor record at Wimbledon will hope grass brings an improvement in form.

Other first round losers at Roland Garros who will look forward to the change of scenery in Wimbledon include big servers Milos Raonic and Ivo Karlovic. The former is making his Wimbledon debut and has a better all-round game than the big Croatia, who needs his serve to be at its very best to reach the second week and anyone looking at the online tennis betting should remember this.

Lleyton Hewitt, like Roddick, is a four-time Queen's winner who was absent from Roland Garros due to injury. The 2002 Wimbledon champion always finds his best form on grass and will hope for one last hurrah as injuries take their toll.