Plenty of British interest in first round of Wimbledon singles

Five players have earned direct entry while eight more have been given wild cards.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the home contenders.

Kyle Edmund

Doing the British number one position proud in Andy Murray’s absence, Edmund has had a superb year, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and breaking into the top 20. The 23-year-old won his first match at Wimbledon last year at the fifth attempt.

Cameron Norrie

Another player to have shone in 2018. In just over a year as a professional player after leaving college in the United States, 22-year-old Norrie has raced into the top 100 and will make his second Wimbledon appearance.

Andy Murray

In the unfamiliar position of being unseeded and the British number three, Murray will be delighted just to be in the field after his hip injury nightmare.  Has made at least the quarter-finals every year since 2007.

Liam Broady

The 24-year-old from Stockport has made big strides since last summer under the guidance of coach Dave Sammel and is back in the top 200, earning him a wild card.  Broady made the second round on his debut in 2015.

Jay Clarke

Teenager Clarke is Britain’s brightest young hope. The 19-year-old, who hails from a working-class background in Derby, was agonisingly close to qualifying 12 months ago and will make his singles debut as a wild card.

Johanna Konta

Returns to the scene of her greatest achievement after reaching the semi-finals 12 months ago. In rather different form this season having struggled since her Wimbledon heroics but the 27-year-old remains the big home hope in the women’s tournament.

Heather Watson

How different would Watson’s career have been had she won her epic clash with Serena Williams in the third round of Wimbledon in 2015? The 26-year-old has not managed to find any consistency over the past three seasons but loves playing on grass.

Naomi Broady

Joins brother Liam in being awarded a wild card and will make her seventh appearance at Wimbledon. The 28-year-old, who reached the second round in 2014, has slipped out of the top 100 after reaching a high of 76 two years ago.

Katie Boulter

The rangy 21-year-old from Leicester has made impressive strides since her Wimbledon debut 12 months ago. A two-time title winner this season on the lower tiers, Boulter is closing in on the top 100.

Gabi Taylor

The 20-year-old will make her debut after being awarded a wild card. Taylor, from Southampton, hit the headlines two years ago after claiming she was poisoned when she contracted an infection while playing the junior tournament that left her in intensive care.

Harriet Dart

Another young player making big jumps in 2018. Dart, 21, has recently joined Taylor and Boulter in breaking into the top 200 and will make her Wimbledon singles debut as a wild card.

Katie Swan

Nineteen-year-old Swan’s career had stalled since she made her Wimbledon debut two years ago amid a number of injuries but 2018 has seen her move forward again. Signed up by Murray’s management agency.

Katy Dunne

Slightly older than her fellow first-timers at 23, Dunne has worked hard for her spot in the top 250 and been rewarded with a wild card.