Wimbledon Schedule 2013: Day 1 Matchups, Predictions and Analysis

Winning any major is an unforgettable accomplishment for every tennis player that is fortunate enough to do so, but there is something extra special about being crowned champion at the All England Club.

The last remaining major on the game's original surface (grass), Wimbledon is the most prestigious of them all. 

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, two of the most legendary players of all time, enter this year's tournament as defending champions. But at the Wimbledon Championships, everyone seems to take their game to a new level. 

Whatever happens, though, you can rest assured there will be some memorable moments before the end of play in a couple of weeks. 

Let's take a look at how we're set to begin the celebrated tournament.

Day 1 Matchups on Center Court

Note: You can find a complete look at the Day 1 schedule and order of play at Wimbledon.com. TV coverage will be on ESPN.

Player	vs.	Player	Time (ET)
Victor Hanescu	vs.	Roger Federer	8 a.m.
Kristina Mladenovic	vs.	Maria Sharapova	Next
Benjamin Becker	vs.	Andy Murray	Next

Day 1 Matchups on No. 1 Court

Player	vs.	Player	Time (ET)
Maria Joao Koehler	vs.	Victoria Azarenka	8 a.m.
Rafael Nadal	vs.	Steve Darcis	Next
Lleyton Hewitt	vs.	Stanislas Wawrinka	Next

Center Court Breakdown and Predictions

Roger Federer vs. Victor Hanescu

Roger Federer has seen a slight decline in his game this year, but he is always a threat at Wimbledon. 

He won five in a row at the All England Club in the mid-2000s and has won seven overall, which is tied with Pete Sampras for most ever in the Open Era.

Overall, he is a staggering 66-7 (90.41 winning percentage) at Wimbledon. 

Romanian Victor Hanescu, who has taken just one set off Fed-Ex in five career matches, won't give the defending champ much of a struggle, but at least he can tell his grandchildren he played Federer on the grass in England. 

Prediction: Federer wins 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

Maria Sharapova vs. Kristina Mladenovic

Maria Sharapova hasn't played since losing to Serena Williams in the French Open Finals, but this will serve as a good way to rid herself of any rust she may have. 

Twenty-year-old Kristina Mladenovic just recently reached her highest career rank at No. 37, and she certainly has potential, but she didn't look great on the grass at the Topshelf Open last week and is 0-1 in her career at Wimbledon. 

Prediction: Sharapova wins 6-1, 6-4

Andy Murray vs. Benjamin Becker

2012 was a year that saw Andy Murray finally break through into the elite. He won Olympic gold here at the All England Club and went on to win his first major at the U.S. Open. 

Next up for the Brit is to win Wimbledon. 

He skipped the French Open because of a hip injury, but he looked good in his return earlier this month, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Cilic to win the Aegon Championships at the Queen's Club. 

Also in that tournament, he beat Benjamin Becker, the 32-year-old German against whom he will begin this year's Wimbledon run. 

Murray won in straight sets in that battle, but he only won 10 more points than Becker, who forced three breaks and fought to a second-set tiebreak. 

The veteran is best when he is on the grass and will serve as a solid first-round opponent who will prepare Murray well. 

Prediction: Murray wins 7-5, 6-3, 6-3

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