Aussie Gajdosova facing serving barrage

Australian tennis player Jarmila Gajdosova faces a serving barrage in her Wimbledon opener against German world record holder Sabine Lisicki.

Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova

Jarmila Gajdosova knows she'll be under fire from the get-go in her Wimbledon opener on Tuesday. (AAP)

Jarmila Gajdosova knows she'll be under fire from the get-go in her Wimbledon opener on Tuesday.

One of five Australians in action on day two of the championships, Gajdosova is not only up against a former finalist but also the world's most fearsome server.

Sabine Lisicki, the 2013 runner-up to Marion Bartoli in one of the more unlikely women's title matches, even has Serena Williams covered.

The German rocketed down a world-record 211 km/hr thunderbolt against Ana Ivanovic at the Stanford Classic last year.

And just two weeks ago, Lisicki whizzed 27 aces - a world record for a women's three-set match - past Belinda Bencic in Birmingham.

"It's quick," Gajdosova said when asked what she made of the 18th seed's serve.

Little wonder Gajdosova acknowledges the match probably won't be played on her terms.

"So hopefully she's not going to have such a good serving day," said the world No.59.

"But I'll just have to concentrate on myself, my game and take the chances that I have.

"She made a final here. She likes playing on grass, so it's a tough first-round.

"I think I'm playing well. I won a few matches in a row in Eastbourne. I've had three weeks on grass, hopefully it's going to be good enough.

"It's a first round; anything can happen."

Casey Dellacqua, the French Open doubles finalist who insists singles remain her priority, plays Austrian qualifier Tamira Paszek, while Alja Tomljanovic, flying solo after splitting with coach David Taylor, takes on Czech Klara Koukalova.

In-form Sam Groth, with nine wins already on English grass this month, and James Duckworth are the only two Australian men playing on Tuesday.

They could clash in the second round if they both win their openers.

Groth fancies his chances of upsetting American 31st seed Jack Sock, while Duckworth is eager to move on against Tunisian Malek Jaziri after suffering a shattering loss from two sets up at the French Open.

"I was pretty disappointed with that loss in Paris," Duckworth said.

"It was a tough one to swallow, but it's a new tournament this week, a new grand slam.

"I'm really excited to be here at the All England Club. Grass is my favourite surface."

Groth and Duckworth were among 11 Australians to make the men's main draw.

"It's awesome," Duckworth said.

"We've got a little area in the locker-room in the back corners. It's great."


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Source: AAP


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