BLACKBURN tennis ace Elizabeth Thomas is backing fellow Brit Andy Murray to one day lift the men’s Wimbledon title - but not this year!

Third seed Murray opens his assault at SW19 today when he faces world number 76 Robert Kendrick in the first round.

The Scot’s chances of becoming the first male Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the tournament took a massive boost after the withdrawal of defending champion Rafael Nadal due to a troublesome knee.

Certainly, the Spaniard’s absence has made Murray’s task less formidable in the top half of the draw.

The highest-rated possible semi-final opponent for Murray is world number five Juán Martín del Potro, a clay-courter who has won just two career matches at Wimbledon.

Yet Langho-based Thomas, Britain’s number 12 in women’s singles, believes that, despite his record, huge server del Petro could be a sensation at the All English Club.

And she is in no doubt that grass-court king Roger Federer will prove unstoppable over the next fortnight as he tries to surpass Pete Sampras and win his 15th Grand Slam.

“Roger Federer is the one to beat. I think he’ll win Wimbledon this year,” said the 24-year-old former Clitheroe Grammar School student.

“He’ll be so relaxed after winning the French Open. That was the one he’d waited for years to win - he’ll just be so confident at Wimbledon.

“Roger’s best surface is grass and only a few people have ever beaten him on that surface.

“It’s a shame that Rafael Nadal pulled out. It may help Federer and Andy Murray, but it’s so disappointing that a champion can’t defend his title.”

Thomas added: “I don’t think Andy Murray will win this year - although I expect he will reach at least the semi-finals.

“The draw has opened up a little, but he may end up facing del Potro - and that won’t be easy. He looks about 6ft 8in and has a huge serve. He’ll be difficult to beat.”

Thomas missed out on her Wimbledon dream after losing to American Varvara Lepchenko in the tournament’s first qualifying round at Roehampton last week.

But her encouraging performance in a 5/7, 4/6 defeat to the world’s number 102 has drew plenty of plaudits, and now the East Lancashire star is looking to build on that display during the remainder of the grass-court season.

Thomas returns to action in two weeks time for a $10,000-purse tournament at Felixstowe.