Wimbledon 2012: 5 Players to Watch in Early Rounds

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The 2012 French Open proved to us that the early rounds matter more than usual at Grand Slams, and Wimbledon will be no different. These key players are the ones to keep an eye on during the first few rounds in London.

Whether it be because they look to win the event or avenge embarrassing losses at Roland Garros, these five tennis stars will have all eyes upon them in the first few rounds.

The French proved to us that there is no such thing as an easy match in tennis, as some of the game's brightest stars fell in the first couple of round. Veterans, young stars and the best in the game all struggled in the beginning of the tournament, which showed just how important the opening rounds can be.

As Wimbledon 2012 kicks off, these are the players you must watch during the first several rounds.

Rafael Nadal

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After winning his record-breaking seventh French Open title, the King of Clay is now forced to play on the grass courts of Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal is still one of the best players in the world, and he will not be content with just a French Open title this year. He will be seeking his second Grand Slam of the year, and the third championship at Wimbledon of his career.

Rafa won in London in 2010, and after Novak Djokovic took the title last year, Nadal will look to win once again.

After his dominance of the French Open (dropping only one set all tournament to Djokovic in the finals) he looks to keep rolling at Wimbledon.

Victoria Azarenka

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Victoria Azarenka struggled in the French Open, stumbling in the first round and being ousted in the fourth by Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets.

Azarenka went to Roland Garros ranked No. 1 in the world, but that title was stolen by Maria Sharapova, who completed her career Grand Slam after winning the French Open.

After disappointing in the opening rounds at the French, it will be interesting to see how she rebounds in London.

Last year she made it to the semifinals at Wimbledon, which is the farthest she has ever gotten in the event. However, she looks to build on that success and perhaps win the event for the first time in her career this year.

Her play in the opening rounds will be indicative of how she will play for the rest of the tournament, and she is one of the players who you must watch on the women's side.

Novak Djokovic

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The world's No. 1 is coming off a loss to Rafael Nadal in the finals of the French Open, but he looks to right the ship in London.

Novak Djokovic is looking to defend his title, but in order to do so he will need to escape the first few rounds.

He played well in the beginning at the French, winning his first three matches in straight sets. If he can do so once again at Wimbledon it will bode well for him, as gaining momentum in the early rounds should be his goal in the first three matches.

The Djoker looks to continue his stretch of dominance over the rest of the tennis world that was marred slightly by Rafa's win at the French, and a victory at Wimbledon is key in order to do so.

Roger Federer

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Roger Federer was once the best player in the world on grass, and while his game is still better-suited to grass than any other surface, he is no longer the best in the world.

Fed looks to win at Wimbledon for the seventh time in his career, which would tie him with Pete Sampras for the most Wimbledon championships in a career in the Open Era.

Federer made it to the semifinals at the French, losing to Novak Djokovic in straight sets. However, he will look to compete for a title on his preferred surface.

Serena Williams

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After the worst loss of her career in the French Open, Serena Williams might be the most exciting player to watch in the opening rounds of Wimbledon.

Her loss to Virginie Razzano in the first round of the French was the first time that she lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam event, and was nothing short of shocking. Now she looks to bounce back in London.

Williams has a chance to win her fifth title at Wimbledon of her career, and that would certainly help erase her embarrassing defeat against Razzano from the minds of fans.

It will be interesting to see how she fares in the early round of Wimbledon, as another early exit would be devastating, and she needs to get off to a fast start.

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