Julie Pullin has drawn the eccentric but highly respected Natasha Zvereva in the first round of Wimbledon today

But the 24-year-old British No.2, from Hove, believes she will have the last laugh against the popular Miss from Minsk with the mischievous grin and claim her first main draw victory at the Championships.

Zvereva, with her tongue firmly in cheek, insists she would rather be a farmer back home, admits to a love of Harley Davidson motorbikes and has a penchant for reading Feodor Dostoevski.

Winning last year's Direct Line Championships proved that zany Zvereva is a leading grasscourt player in singles and as well as doubles, in which she has won 20 Grand Slam titles.

Yet Pullin, given a wild card, will refuse to be distracted by any reputation built up by the ace from Belarus.

The Pavilion and Avenue club member, who briefly made it to British No.1 and achieved her highest ranking this year (No.129), is concentrating on her own game.

"It's a tough draw. I've played her in doubles but never singles and Natasha has a good track record on grass. She has not got a lot of weaknesses but hasn't got a big shot that's going to threaten me. Natasha doesn't hit it as hard as, say, Venus Williams or Lindsay Davenport. Then I would struggle to stay in the game.

"I watched her play and beat Lisa Raymond at Eastbourne but it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about her.

"The main thing is how well I play. That's all I'm worried about. I've got to make sure I bring my best game to the court. I've got nothing to lose."

Pullin has taken heart from her displays on grass in the past few weeks. After receiving a wild card into the main draw of the Direct Line Championships at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, she frightened world No.23 Elena Likhovtseva. She had a set point in the first and three in the second before losing out to the Russian.

The week before at Edgbaston, Pullin, currently ranked world No.141, pushed world No.45 Magui Serna, from Spain, to three sets.

"Going so close against top 40 players like that has given my confidence a lift. It has been great preparation. I believe if I can play as well as I did against Likhovtseva than anything can happen."

Pullin, who will be watched by mum Andrea and dad Alan, is fired up to end her Wimbledon duck which dates back to 1994 and involves five previous attempts to reach round two.

"I've had some tough draws in the past too, but I'm convinced if I can beat Natasha, then my confidence would really build and that could help me have a good run. I'll give it my best shot.

"It doesn't bug me that I've never won in the main draw at Wimbledon, but it is something I want to change. It makes life easier.

"Expectations are high even though you're usually playing against higher-ranked players. But that's fine. That's what you have to do at every Grand Slam.

"But if you do well at Wimbledon, like Sam Smith did against former champion Conchita Martinez a couple of years ago, it can open doors for you.

"British women's tennis could do with another lift. You hear about Tim (Henman) and Greg (Rusedski) but not so much about the women.

"If I can come out of Wimbledon with a win or two it would certainly help the British women's profile."

MARTIN Lee believes it will be a case of third time lucky for him at Wimbledon.

The 22-year-old, from East Preston, has missed match points in his two previous first-round matches at the All England Championships.

But the Angmering club member will step on court in London SW19 against Costa Rican No.1 Juan Antonio Marin with confidence high that he can complete the job.

He said: "It has been frustrating to lose after having the chances to win those matches and I'm certainly in the mood to not let that happen again.When I get to match point this time, hopefully I can make sure I close it out."

Lee feels he has the beating of Marin who, at world No.6, is ranked 199 places higher than him.

He said: "Juan is pretty much a claycourter, while I like the grass. It's a good draw for me and I feel I can make the second round.

"In the second round I would face either Felix Mantilla or Younes El Aynaoui, who I believe both prefer clay, and would rate myself against them."

Left-hander Lee reached the second round four years ago and would love to go at least one better.

"This is my favourite tournament. I look forward to playing because it is home and one of the Grand Slams. Also its tradition is always a factor."

He is buoyed by fine results on grass. "I played Alex O'Brien at the Stella Artois Championships a couple of years ago when he was 30 in the world and I beat him. That was probably my best ever result.

"I've also been across the net from Goran Ivanisevic at the Stella and took six games off him. That was a good learning experience against a guy of his quality."

Lee has come back from a groin operation this year following five months out.

He has already shown good form by qualifying for the main draw at Queen's last week after playing the Powder Byrne Trophy the week before. He said: "Three wins on grass at Queen's has given me confidence. I'm fine now and moving okay."

He has also taken on board some advice from British No.1 Tim Henman.

"I occasionally ask Tim for a few tips. I did just that last week before I played Jan-Michael Gambill at the Nottingham Open. He told me how to play him. I lost but what he told me did come in handy.

"Tim is an inspiration to us British guys, obviously, and I believe he's got a good chance of winning the whole thing."