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Federer the top seed despite Nadal's form

TENNIS WIMBLEDON: DEFENDING CHAMPION Roger Federer has been named as the top seed for Wimbledon, which starts next Monday, despite…

Thu Jun 17 2010 - 01:00

TENNIS WIMBLEDON:DEFENDING CHAMPION Roger Federer has been named as the top seed for Wimbledon, which starts next Monday, despite losing his world number one spot to Rafael Nadal.

Defending champion and world number one Serena Williams is the top seed in the women’s draw.

Spaniard Nadal, who was unable to defend his title at the All England Club last year because of injury, overtook his rival after winning his fifth French Open crown earlier this month.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are seeded third and fourth. Last year’s runner-up, Andy Roddick, has been rewarded for his pedigree on grass by being seeded fifth, above French Open finalist Robin Soderling and Nikolay Davydenko.

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World number eight Juan Martin Del Potro has withdrawn from the tournament because of a wrist injury, so Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga complete the top 10.

Three of last year’s quarter-finalists have been seeded higher than their rankings, with Juan Carlos Ferrero at 14, Lleyton Hewitt 15th and Ivo Karlovic at 25.

American Sam Querrey’s victory at Queen’s Club on Sunday has earned him 18th spot, up from his world ranking of 21.

In contrast to the men’s list, the women’s seedings have stuck to the rankings with the only changes coming because of world number five Elena Dementieva’s withdrawal yesterday through injury.

Venus Williams follows her sister at number two with Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone completing the top five.

Returning Belgian duo Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are eighth and 17th respectively, with the latter resuming her bid to complete her set of grand slams, while former champion Maria Sharapova is at 16.

MEN

1 Roger Federer (Swi)

2 Rafael Nadal (Spa)

3 Novak Djokovic (Ser)

4 Andy Murray (Sco)

5 Andy Roddick (US)

6 Robin Soderling (Swe)

7 Nikolay Davydenko (Rus)

8 Fernando Verdasco (Spa)

9 David Ferrer (Spa)

10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra)

WOMEN

1 Serena Williams (US)

2 Venus Williams (US)

3 Caroline Wozniacki (Den)

4 Jelena Jankovic (Ser)

5 Francesca Schiavone (Ita)

6 Samantha Stosur (Aus)

7 Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol)

8 Kim Clijsters (Bel)

9 Li Na (Chi)

10 Flavia Pennetta (Ita)