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Bhupathi takes on Huet in first round

World No. 2 doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi will face Frenchman Stephane Huet in the men's singles first round at the Wimbledon tennis championships, starting on June 26.

Wild card entrant Bhupathi, who is logged in the fourth quarter of the draw also featuring No.2 seeded American Andre Agassi, should fancy his chances of making it to the next round given that Huet has never gone past the first round.

The 29-year-old Huet, a clay-courter, came through the gruelling Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton, but his past record at the All England Club has nothing to show. He qualified for Wimbledon in 1996 and 1997 but never made it to the next round.

Bhupathi on the other hand, a naturalised grass court player, loves the surface and has a doubles crown to show for his success here.

In singles though Bhupathi also has 0-2 win-loss record. However, his 1998 first round loss, a marathon five-setter, to former World No.1 Carlos Moya was one of the best matches witnessed that year.

Ironically, Bhupathi alone leads the Indian hopes at Wimbledon this year with Leander Paes out of action following wrist injury.

Bhupathi, who won the doubles title last year with Paes, is partnering Germany's David Prinosil with whom he has had good results, winning two ATP Tour titles.

The Indo-German pair are drawn to play the Argentine duo of Mariano Hood and Sebastian Priesto in the men's doubles first round.