In contrast to the WTA tour, the men’s doubles scene is dominated by doubles specialists. Whilst the Williams sisters are regular doubles champions and Vera Zvonareva was runner-up in singles and doubles at Wimbledon last year, the men’s teams to watch at SW19 do not generally set the game alight as individuals. Those looking at the Wimbledon betting odds should remember this.
The Bryan brothers have won 10 slam titles, but only one at Wimbledon. They have been runners-up on three occasions and will be the team to beat in 2011, despite falling at the quarter final stage last year. They are the top-ranked team on tour and are the reigning Australian and US Open doubles champions.
The Americans’ main rivals in recent years have been Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor, who have won at Wimbledon twice. This successful partnership has broken up, the latter joining forces with the experienced Max Mirnyi, the former with Michael Llodra, who won at Wimbledon in 2007.
Veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have reunited in 2011 after a long hiatus, reaching the Australian Open final 10 years after they last reached a slam final. Their experience is difficult to match.
John Isner and Sam Querrey are the strongest pair in terms of individual world rankings, and whilst ability as solo players often counts for little in doubles, the Americans are ideally suited to grass and are well worth following despite their relatively embryonic partnership.
They might be affected by a run in the singles event of one or both of their team, a problem that might also impact on reigning champions Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner’s chances of retaining their title. Melzer is certainly a man to watch in the singles draw.
They were unseeded last year, easily winning a surprise final against 16th seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau. Their partnership was briefly disrupted by the former’s calf injury, but they immediately got back to winning ways in Casablanca last month and are sure to be in hunt at Wimbledon.