Tennis: GREG'S IN THE MOOD

GREG RUSEDSKI insists his Wimbledon plans are right on track after his first final for almost a year.

Britain's No.2 lost 6-7 6-7 to Fernando Gonzalez in the final of the Boodles Challenge invitational tournament at Stoke Park.

But Rusedski is still confident he can make a mark at Wimbledon - and is looking forward to a potential meeting with the Chilean in the third round.

He said: "This has been great preparation for me - it couldn't be any better.

"I played three great matches and I feel I am ready for the tournament next week.

"There is a chance I could meet him in the third round. I hope so, then I could get my own back."

Rusedski held serve in both sets but came unstuck in the tiebreaks, which he lost 8-6 and 7-5.

Gonzalez was too fast to the net for the 31-year-old, whose drop- shots were repeatedly picked off.

But Rusedski insists his grass court game is ready after a first- round exit at Surbiton followed by a third-round loss at Queen's.

And he believes he is finally due a stroke of luck on his favourite surface after all his injuries and last year's doping scandal.

The world No.39 last reached a final in Newport last July, and before the grass-court stage of the tour this year had failed to make it beyond the first round.

He has been victim to some unfortunate draws, meeting the likes of Andy Roddick, Roger Federer and Tim Henman.

But he is taking Liverpool's fairytale fightback as inspiration for a shock Wimbledon triumph.

He added: "It's been the year of the underdog - Liverpool coming back in the Champions League final, Mary Pierce reaching the French Open final.

"With a British crowd behind me, anything can happen.

"That's why you play the game: to play the major championships and to win titles."

Rusedski is happily playing under the radar this year, letting the pressure fall on Henman and new hero Andrew Murray.

He added: "There's no comparison with last year. I am a lot more relaxed because there's no expectation.

"The body couldn't be in any better condition so I am really looking forward to it."

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