Wimbledon - Countdown: Women to watch

Eurosport - Sun, 22 Jun 13:28:00 2008

With the most open Wimbledon draw in years, Eurosport Yahoo! looks at the runners and riders heading into the All England Club.

TENNIS 2007 Wimbledon Ana Ivanovic - 0

The world number one: Ana Ivanovic

The newly crowned French Open champion and world number one is quickly filling the power vacuum left by Justine Henin's sudden retirement. Having claimed her first Grand Slam title in Paris at the start of the month, Ivanovic will look to improve on a semi-finals appearance at Wimbledon one year ago. Serbia's 20-year-old superstar withdrew from Eastbourne with a muscle injury, but that was likely just a precautionary measure as she is certain to be ready in time for the All England Club.

The also ran: Jelena Jankovic

A disappointing 2007 singles campaign has caused the Serbian and world number two to abandon her mixed doubles title defence with home favourite Jamie Murray in the hopes of securing greater solo spoils. The decision should help Jankovic improve on her fourth round showing at the All England Club. But unlike her younger compatriot, and despite her ranking, the 23-year-old has yet to truly break into the big time, falling four times in Grand Slam semi-finals in the past two years. Whether or not she's able to make that final breakthrough in such an open and dangerous field is a matter of debate.

The champion: Venus Williams

The six-time finalist and current holder came out of nowhere in 2005 and 2007 to storm to two of her four Wimbledon trophies. The American will have to do the same again after slipping well under the radar in 2008. Her disappointing French Open result was not surprising, and though she has yet to win a title this year Venus is perfectly capable of ripping up the form sheet yet again.

Will she or wont she: Serena Williams

Viewed as the more likely of the legendary sisters to find her form and swoop to a third All England title, Serena will also come into this year's tournaments with a host of questions. Is she fit, is she focused enough on her tennis, will she actually perform to her brilliant abilities? The American number one is still capable of greatness, as she proved at last year's Australian Open and at the start of this year's campaign when she won three consecutive titles. But will that potential shine through on the grassy courts of SW19?

The girl named Maria: Maria Sharapova

The Russian superstar started the 2008 season in the same spectacular fashion that she ended her 2007 campaign - winning a third career Grand Slam title with her first Australian Open triumph. But the world number three has once again tapered off, crashing out of the French Open in the last 16 to eventual runner-up Dinara Safina and losing her number one ranking to Ana Ivanovic - just one tournament after taking over from the retired Justine Henin. Still, the 2004 champion is a threat in any Grand Slam and a definite title contender.

The sleeper part two: Dinara Safina

The shock French Open finalist had a brilliant claycourt season, earning astonishing come-from-behind upsets of Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva at Roland Garros and beating Justine Henin in the Belgian's last-ever match in Berlin. But Marat's hot-headed lil' sis has never been able to translate her game to grass, with a third-round performance her best result at the All England Club. The Russian will likely have to wait until Flushing Meadows if she's to make another sleeper run through a Grand Slam draw.

Ms. Consistency: Svetlana Kuznetsova

The three-time quarter-finalist has never been spectacular on grass, but is solid enough to make a run at any Grand Slam. A devastating 6-3 6-2 loss to Russian compatriot Safina in the French semis won't likely affect the tough-minded 22-year-old's morale ahead of Wimbledon.

Ms. Inconsistency: Elena Dementieva

If she can hold her nerve and serve, Dementieva could be a true contender. But her capitulation to Safina while leading by a set and 5-2 in the second set, though exactly similar to Sharapova's loss against Safina, is more indicative of mental weakness in Dementieva than it is in the three-time Grand Slam champion. Where her head is at when she comes to SW19 will have a major impact on her game and could have a big affect on the tournament.

The star in waiting: Agnieszka Radwanska

The Polish teenager is coming to age at just the right time, with several notable retirements, including Justine Henin and Martina Hingis, opening the door for a new generation of stars. Though her upset of then defending champion Maria Sharapova at Flushing Meadows last year was a shock, nobody should be surprised by Radwanska now. A big-hitter in the mould of Sharapova and a former Junior champion at the All England Club, the world number 14 certainly has what it takes to one day become a Wimbledon star.

The fallen finalist: Marion Bartoli

Last year's runner-up overcame Jankovic and Henin on her way to a shock final appearance. But the Frenchwoman has struggled horribly since, and her recent second-round exit after receiving a bye at Birmingham does not bode well for her chances in Southwest London.

The rest: Former champions Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo have struggled to overcome injuries, but could have a part to play. Nicole Vaidisova reached the quarter-finals last year, as did Michaella Krajicek but neither has performed well this season. Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Vera Zvonareva could take advantage of high seeds, as could Slovakian number one Daniela Hantuchova, while French teenager Alize Cornet is very well suited for grass.

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport

Comment 23 - 42 of 42

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  1. I like Williams sisters and their tennis.I don't want to watch two players pushing the ball over the net for hours waiting for the other one to make the mistake or barely pushing the serves into the service box.I love the fact that there is more power in womens tennis,it has made it more popular and watchable.
    Most players these days play the same.I actually think most of them have the ability to play different types of shoots but don't.I also think that the way these players are trained at the very young age is the reason.They are not encouraged to use all the shots,if you see the players that were for example coached at Bollitieri(not shore about spelling but you know who I mean)-they play the same-have great baseline game,have lot of success but just not encouraged by coaches who work there to use more of their skills.I also think that Williams sisters could play at the net more-have great approach shots and serve to take them there.

    From naimuddinkhan@rocketmail.com, on Sat 12 Jul 6:40AM

  2. And the Winner is ....one of the Williams sisters

    From Edward E, on Sat 5 Jul 8:02PM

  3. Congratulations Magic 1, may ur dreams come true. Ana to candid, the tournament is for you. i dream of that.

    From sajbecks, on Wed 25 Jun 6:14PM

  4. in reply to alegran firstly learn how to speak english (has) dont u mean have!!
    we are all entitled to our opinion and most men would jump at the chance to spend a night alone with anna she is a very sexy woman in most mens eyes i bet u think lindsey davenport is the sexyst lady in the ladys game!!! lol we will see how well ana does she is the current world number 1 and just won her 1st grand slam title im confident she can lift the trophy but am aware a few other ladys also are capable we will have to wait and see!! as for you saying i dont no much about the game im sure i no more than you do!! here is a easy question 4 you wich lady held the number 1 spot 4 the longest period??? let me no noitall

    From waxinbrig, on Tue 24 Jun 12:57PM

  5. i love nicole, she has to make it!!! i hope she do it!!! come on nicole

    From matthew.mattia, on Mon 23 Jun 1:09PM

  6. I wanted to place a bet on Nicole Vaidisova who is playing her contrywoman Zuzana Ondraskova in the first round, but I seriously think Ondraskova can cause an upset because Vaidisova has been real low in terms of playing tennis most recently. Agnieszka Radwanska will be my favourite this year and if she can go past first two rounds, then she will get to the quarter-finals. But first she has to beat Iveta Benesova, that will be nothing easy. Also, beware of Cibulkova, she can cause an upset.

    From vasek.kadlec, on Mon 23 Jun 10:43AM

  7. Ana you are the best!

    From mirandica3000, on Mon 23 Jun 9:40AM

  8. How 'bout Ana's T.H.O.s ????? ..........not to mention her everything else

    From Adam S, on Mon 23 Jun 2:29AM

  9. I don't think the Williams sisters are a shoe in to the final, but you can never count them out. I wish Lindsay Davenport would have been able to play last week, since she hasn't played in a tournament since April. I think if she gets through the first two matches she will be ready for Elena Dementieva. Lindsay is great on grass and she is excellent when she is moving well. I think her lack of agility will be her downfall, since she has great placement and is a deep baseliner. I don't think either Williams sister will be in the final. I think this is Maria Sharapova's to lose. I hope Patty Schnyder can pull it together because she's a great threat when on top of her game. If she plays well against Casey Dellaqua from Austrailia this will be a good sign for her. Ana Ivanovic is getting better with every tournament, but I don't believe she will win. I want to see Jelena Jankovic make it to a final and I want to see the re-emergence of Amelie Mauresmo as a power player. I guess we will see.

    From cdbliss2004, on Sun 22 Jun 11:34PM

  10. My prediction Venus Williams gets her fifth, Wimbledon Title and makes it 7th overall. BTW, the only reason Henin retired is because she was getting crashed by everyone and knew that she would more than likely have to face Serena and would be shredded to tears because Serena was ready for payback. The only reason Henin beat Serena at Wimbledon last year was b/c of her injuyr and later at the US open b/c Serena was just getting back from her injury. She never beat her after that, and other than Clay had never really beaten her before that. Serena whoop everyone's behind this year.

    From leoruler, on Sun 22 Jun 11:27PM

  11. Venus and Serena will be the two finalist again this year. There is nobody out there that can stop them. Venus williams wooped and schooled Maria and Ana last year, it looks like this year, Serena will have to do that to meet her sister. Jelena has only won against the sister when they are not at their best and if she gets far enough to meet Venus, she will taste Venus's prowess and be wiped out 6-1, 6-0. No matter how many Russians and if the US is underrepresented as Wimbledon, The Two Top US players, Williams sisters, have more substance on grass than any of the others.

    From leoruler, on Sun 22 Jun 11:23PM

  12. venus or serena will win this one.

    From Lee S, on Sun 22 Jun 10:28PM

  13. @waxinbrig:
    What does Ana's sexiness has to do something with (winning) Wimbledon?!
    "You obviously don't know a lot about the game, do you?!"
    Oh by the way, is she really sexy. She's more of a boring type i bet!
    P.S. I predict that Ana won't win it and that she will lose the No.1 ranking at the end of the tournament.

    From aelgran, on Sun 22 Jun 7:06PM

  14. comment 28 yack
    whoz the raining womenz wimbledon champ!!!

    you obviously dont no a lot about the game do you!!!!

    ps go ana good luck girl n uz a fine looking LADY!! MMMM SO SEXY

    From waxinbrig, on Sun 22 Jun 5:31PM

  15. Williams sisters?! Are you kidding me?! When was the last time they won a grand slam? Exactly. Neither of them are contenders. Ivanovic doesn't stand a chance, semi-round loss at best. Maria's got this one in the bag and might even snatch the #1 spot from Ivanovic by the end of the tourney!!

    From Yack, on Sun 22 Jun 4:58PM

  16. Sharapova or Williams Sisters I think.....cheering for Ana but I dont think she's ready on grass

    From Leonnatus Anteas, on Sun 22 Jun 4:07PM

  17. i will win

    From garavialeksa, on Sat 21 Jun 10:53PM

  18. Go Venus and Serena to the finals. Jankovic is a drama queen who is quickly forgetting the meaning of sportsmanship and playing a match start-to-finish in straightforward manner. Ana is lovely and Lindsey always deserved more.

    From Russell D, on Sat 21 Jun 9:33PM

  19. On the men's half of the draw, I am going out there and predicting that Rafa Nadal will not only play in the finals this year, it will be his breakthrough and he will be the winner.

    Roger Federer is going down in the history books as one of the all-time greats, but Rafa is younger, hungrier, and this will be his year at the All-England club.

    From BIJOUXNOIRE, on Sat 21 Jun 9:09PM

  20. That was more than a bit of a stretch boosting up Ana Ivanovic after (1) grand slam title, but I guess it makes for great press.

    When Serena has her head and heart in it, any tournament is hers to lose. Venus and the venue of Wimbledon are a perfect fit. She is never more confident than when she is at the All England Club. As for Maria S. and the rest of the pack, anyone who's hungry enough could claim it this year, but for my money, if Venus is healthy, she will take it to the wanna be's.... 6 majors stron.

    From BIJOUXNOIRE, on Sat 21 Jun 9:06PM
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