24 Jun 2014

Nadal confident history won't repeat

6:10 pm on 24 June 2014

The world tennis number one Rafael Nadal will begin his Wimbledon campaign against Slovakian Martin Klizan on Centre Court tonight, hoping to ease the painful memories of his past two years at the tournament.

Nadal's failed to get past the opening two rounds in the past couple of years but the two-time former champion, who has lost three of his past four matches on grass, is confident history will not repeat itself.

Nadal follows German Sabine Lisicki on Centre Court after last year's women's singles runner-up was given the honour of opening proceedings on what is traditionally known as ladies day, in the absence of the now retired 2013 champion Marion Bartoli.

Top seed Serena Williams, who was defeated by Lisicki a year ago play American countrywoman Anna Tatishvili in the third match on Centre Court.

The seven-time champion Roger Federer, who also lost in the second round last year, plays experienced Italian Paolo Lorenzi while the French Open winner Maria Sharapova plays home favourite Samantha Murray.