Turkey’s Marsel İlhan takes the court in Wimbledon

LONDON

Turkey’s Marsel İlhan starts his Wimbledon campaign with a first round game against Denis Kudla of the United States today.

The 27-year-old player is having his second appearance in the first round of the men’s competition in tennis’ third Grand Slam. He overcame the qualifying round last week.

İlhan’s career highs are advancing to their second rounds in all four of the Grand Slam tournaments. In 2010, he advanced to the second round after beating Brazil’s Marcos Daniel, but was beaten by Victor Hanescu of Romania in the second round. In the back of a good form all year, İlhan has surged to a career-high 84th in men’s rankings in early 2011. He is currently 151st.

The winner of the İlhan vs. Kudla game will face the winner of the match between Japan’s 10th seed Kei Nishikori and France’s Kenny De Schepper.