Bernard Tomic and Fernando Verdasco kick off their Wimbledon campaigns tonight. Join The Roar from 10:30pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Verdasco has years of experience at the All England Club and will prove dangerous.
The 32-year-old is coming off a strong start to the grass court season, knocking off world No.5 Stan Wawrinka at London’s Aegon Championships.
However, in the next round of the tournament Verdasco lost to Tomic in three sets.
Tomic went on to storm through to the semi-finals of the Aegon Championships, but eventually went down to world No.9 Milos Raonic.
The Australian 19th seed has had some success at Wimbledon before, including a breakout tournament way back in 2011, where he powered through to the quarter-finals at just 18 years of age.
Tomic’s next best effort was a fourth-round finish in 2013, the same year journeyman Verdasco found himself in the quarter-finals at the All England Club.
The pair met at Grand Slam level at the 2012 Australian Open, when Tomic was victorious in five sets, coming behind from two sets down.
Tomic leads Verdasco 4-1 head-to-head, including a victory on their only grass meeting, two weeks ago.
The winner will go on to face either Gestate Elias and qualifier Radu Albot in the second round.
Prediction
Verdasco has the experience and the tools to match Tomic around the court and will look to use his serve as best as possible.
However, the Australian has more to play for, is in strong grass court form, and should fight through successfully.
Tomic in four sets.
Join The Roar from 10:30pm (AEST) for live coverage at the All England Club.
Josh
Guest
Apparently he used the word "retard" to describe himself in the press after the game and got destroyed for it. I am so frickin over this PC BS. Let's finds another way to ruin him rather than support him. FFS
Louisa Keoller
Guest
When Bernie makes an effort/tries he's killer/Awsumness/Gr8 !! !! Don't be idle/lazy Bernie,, Play like You want to be there,, Play Coz You really want to Play !! !!
Louisa Keoller
Guest
When Bernie makes an effort/tries he's Killer/Awsumness/Gr8 !! !! Don't be so idle/lazy Bernie - play like You want to be there to play, play Coz You really want to play !!
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
UPDATE: This match has been delayed due to rain. The match was suspended with the scores locked at two sets all. Play will commence at the start of Day 3. You can read all the details here: Rains stalls Tomic, Kyrgios advances: Aussies at Wimbledon wrap ________ That concludes tonights live blog, Verdasco is serving fantastically early on and has ran away with the opening set 6-4. The Roar will now leave you with the live scores, thank you and good night. Tomic: 4 Verdasco: 6
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Verdasco serving for the set now. ACE Verdasco 15-0 Forced error by Tomic. 30-0 Verdasco Yet another ACE by Verdasco, serving brilliantly 40-0 and 3 set points Game, Set, Verdasco Tomic: 4 Verdasco: 6
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Verdasco finds himself 0-30 due to some Tomic errors. Tomic strikes back with some strong serving and nice touch volley's. 40-30 Tomic Ripping backhand from Verdasco Deuce Error Tomic, AD Verdasco. Tomic hits back again, easy forehand winner. AD Tomic Lovely touch by Tomic, Tomic has settled well now ut still a break down. Tomic: 4 Verdasco: 5
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Agressive backhand return by Tomic, has really found his groove now. 0-40 Tomic and 3 breakpoints Strong first serve by Verdasco, saves 1 break point Error by Verdasco and Tomic breaks back Tomic: 3 Verdasco: 5
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Much better service game from Tomic, moved a lot better and seems to have settled with his serving. Lovely forehand winner, Game Tomic Tomic: 2 Verdasco: 5
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Verdasco continuing to serve beautifully, hitting another ACE ! Verdasco 40-0, dominating Tomic everywhere Ace Verdasco, with his 8th Ace in three service games Game Verdasco Tomic: 1 Verdasco: 5
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Verdasco serving very well early in the first set, Tomic has struggled to find his groove thus far. ACE Tomic 40-40, Deuce Great forehand winner by Verdasco, who is taking it to Tomic now. Verdasco gets the double break and dominating this first set. Tomic: 1 Verdasco: 4
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Another Ace by Verdasco 15-0 Tomic misses the line 30-0 Verdasco Error's from Verdasco bring us to Deuce Unforced error Tomic, AD Verdasco Ace Verdasco, Game Verdasco Tomic: 1 Verdasco: 3
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Shaky start by Tomic, Verdasco executing very well Deuce AD Tomic strong serve. Unforced error by Tomic, Back to Deuce Ace Tomic, Ad Tomic Tomic Holds Tomic: 1 Verdasco: 2
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Some error's by Verdasco gives Tomic 2 break points Verdasco saves one break point 30:40 Ace by Verdasco 40-40 Deuce AD Verdasco comes to the net for a volley winner Verdasco holds to solidify his break Tomic :0 Verdasco: 2
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
ACE by Tomic to start off the match 15-0 Cross court winner by Verdasco 15-15 Verdasco finds the first break point of the match 30-40 Verdasco Breaks in the first game Tomic:0 Verdasco: 1
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Welcome to the Roar's live coverage tonight of day 2 at Wimbledon. Aussie Bernard Tomic takes on Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, both players are warming up, play underway shortly.