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Has Roger Federer lost it? Are the naysayers right about the world’s top ranked player because he’s lost a few more matches this season including failing to win at the first two grand slams?

Back in late January, the Swiss Maestro was straight setted in the semifinals by eventual first-time slam champion Novak Djokovic. However, word eventually spread that the 12-time slam winner wasn’t right due to a bout with mononucleosis. Still, unusual things began to happen including a rare defeat to former top rival American Andy Roddick.

Federer even lost to Radek Stepanek in a Rome quarterfinal on clay. Though he’s not a bad player by any stretch, the Czech is best known for dating former tennis champion Martina Hingis. There was also a blowout loss to American Mardy Fish but that was his second tournament back following a six week layoff. Top 10 Scot Andy Murray also defeated him in Dubai prior.

Federer’s closest rival No.2 ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal continued his mastery by going three-for-three on his favorite surface. Most disheartening though was that after Roger pushed Rafa in two warm-ups for the French Open, he was uncharacteristically routed in the final at Roland Garros only able to muster four total games leading to even more questions.

What’s wrong with Federer? Perhaps nothing. He got beaten good by a great player who never gave anyone a blink in a third straight run to the French Open title. Just cause he was once again runner-up in falling short of becoming the sixth male tennis player to complete a career grand slam doesn’t mean the world’s best grass court player should be doubted.

Instead, you have even tennis legend Bjorn Borg along with gung ho No.3 rated Serb Djokovic concluding that a player who’s dominated on grass five years running is more vulnerable with Wimbledon about to get underway this morning at the All England Club.

“It’s maybe a time where some people talk a little bit too much,” Federer answered to critics a day before playing the first Centre Court match in pursuit of history. He’s aiming to become the first player in more than a century to win a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title. It only happened some 122 years earlier when William Renshaw accomplished the remarkable feat from 1881-1886.

Federer also brings in an Open Era record 59-match winning streak on grass including another win at Halle, Germany a week ago. Though he didn’t face stiff competition unless you consider that former Aussie Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis is a good grass court player (semis and quarters past two yrs in London), the 26 year-old still didn’t drop a set in the tune up.

So, is his perfection in jeopardy? The last defeat Roger had on grass came to Croat Mario Ancic in 2002 at Wimbledon in the first round a year removed from stunning seven-time champion Pete Sampras.

No question Federer will get tested. He could see surprise French Open semifinalist Gael Monfils in the third round and either former Wimbledon champ Lleyton Hewitt or hard hitting Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the Round of 16. Streaky Czech Tomas Berdych is also in his section as is an unseeded Ancic, who if finally right could shake up the bottom of the bracket.

Federer is projected to face Djokovic in a semi clash. Boy. Would I love to see what happens if that comes down. Novak has said a little too much for a guy who’s won one major.

While his draw is tough just to make the final, Nadal is the odds on favorite to come out and reach a third straight Wimbledon final. He could get tested early though by Latvian big server Ernest Gulbis in Round Two. If he’s going to lose, it’s more likely to come early in the tournament before he gets his teeth into the surface.

It’s worth noting that Nadal became the first Spanish player to win a grass court warm-up in 36 years impressively besting Roddick and Djokovic on his way to the title at Queen’s Club in London. So he enters with even more confidence that he has what it takes to win a fourth slam on another surface and close the gap on Federer.

Assuming Nadal makes the second week, he could see either Murray or Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarters with either Roddick or possibly often overlooked Russian Nikolay Davydenko looming in the semis.

So, who are our picks? Let’s break it down from quarters on:

Section 1 Qtr: (1) Federer over (11) Berdych

Section 2 Qtr: (3) Djokovic over (10) Baghdatis

Section 3 Qtr: (6) Roddick over (4) Davydenko

Section 4 Qtr: (2) Nadal over (12) Murray

FINAL FOUR

Semifinal 1: (1) Federer over (3) Djokovic

Semifinal 2: (2) Nadal over (6) Roddick

Wimbledon Championship: (1) Federer over (2) Nadal

Many like Nadal to win this time but it’s awfully hard to go against history. Roger has much to prove and will be out to silence his critics.

Later today, we’ll take a look at the women’s draw where much is possible. American Venus Williams looks to defend her crown and win a fifth Wimbledon. But she should get strong competition from younger sis Serena Williams along with former 2004 champ Maria Sharapova plus Serbs Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.

It all gets underway today.