London, June 22: The men's singles at Wimbledon is shaping up as a battle of the ages with young guns Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick bidding to block Andre Agassi's drive for a second all England crown.
Hewitt is the defending champion while Roddick has been installed as the bookmakers favourite after winning the traditional warm-up tournament at Queen's.
But Agassi has just overtaken Hewitt at the top of the world rankings and, at the age of 33, is revelling in his new-found status as the oldest racquet-swinger in town.

The 22-year-old Hewitt romped to victory over Argentina's David Nalbandian in the final 12 months ago and the all England club's Centre Court will see tomorrow once more reverberating to the cries of "C'mon Rocky."
A successful defence would put Hewitt in exalted company. The last Australian to achieve back to back titles on the hallowed turf was John Newcombe in 1970 and 1971. Rod Laver did the double twice -- in 1968 and 1969 as well as in 1961 and 1962. Roy Emerson was champion in 1964 and 1965 and Lew Hoad won in 1956 and 1957.



Hewitt has a long way to go before he can match the performance of a less well-remembered star from down under, Af Wilding, who won the trophy four years in a row from 1910.



But there is no mistaking his appetite for another taste of glory at the world's biggest tournament.



"The nerves will be flying the most on Monday," Hewitt admitted last week. "You get a bit sick of talking about it and want to get on with the first match."


Bureau Report