Del Potro offers novel challenge to Federer

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) Roger Federer will pull on the blazer and long white trousers again at Wimbledon today when the four-times defending champion struts out for second round action against Juan Martin Del Potro.

Top seed Federer will be facing the lanky 18-year-old Argentine for the first time and should not be delayed too long, although Del Potro is unusual for south Americans in that he favours fast courts.

''I'll play him as an equal and when it's finished, see the good things I did and what I need to improve,'' Del Potro said yesterday after beating Italy's Davide Sanguinetti.

Before Federer takes to the turf on court one, twice women's winner Serena Williams will unleash her golden racket against Australian former top-tenner Alicia Molik.

Men's third seed Andy Roddick opens play on Centre Court against Thailand's Danai Udomchoke, followed by women's top seed Justine Henin against Russian Vera Dushevina.

Tim Henman, the only British man to reach the second round, will then lock horns with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, having won an extraordinary five-set first round match against Carlos Moya yesterday.

Reuters TB DB1152