Wimbledon - WOMEN Draw Preview

By Scott Ferguson

An open market but with several players who have prior convictions.

THE CHANCES

1. Henin - twice runner-up here and each time she has reached the final, she has won an event the week before. She just won Eastbourne again. Her heavy top-spin grips aren't ideally suited to grass but she has the talent to beat all but the very best on it. Serena in the quarters will be her acid test, then it will only get slightly easier with Jankovic followed by Venus, Mauresmo or Sharapova. Can't see how she should be favourite. 5.5

2. Sharapova - the screaming starlet won here in 2004 and has gone home in the semis in the past ywo years. She has the easier half of the draw apart from Venus Williams in the fourth round and Mauresmo in the semi. Definite chance. 6

3. Jankovic - won the Birmingham title in a thrilling final over Sharapova last weekend. She really should waltz through her quarter of the draw - Henin or Serena await in the semis. 8

4. Mauresmo - reigning champion and returned to grass well with a runner-up cheque at Eastbourne. Hasn't kicked on from last year's success as one thought she might. Has reached at least the semis in her last four visits to SW19, can only see Ivanovic making it hard for her in the quarter-final. Can't see her finding the mental strength to win it again. 10

7. Serena Williams - has won twice here and lost to Sharapova in the 2004 final. Missed last year but has been in superb form in 2007. No leadup form on grass as is traditional for her, but she will be fit and ready. Will probably face the Aussie serve-volleyers Molik and Stosur in the first week, but her big test will be Henin in the quarters. Henin has never beaten Serena away from clay. Should be title favourite. 3.5

23. Venus Williams - if she turns up fit and ready, then you cannot rule her out. A five-time finalist with three winners' trophies, she has only played two events this year away from clay - with an imposing record of 9-1. Rule her out at your peril. 14

OTHER SEEDS

5. Kuznetsova - toils away but rarely a threat in any major event. 100

6. Ivanovic - continuing the rise in rankings but probably better suited to the slower courts. Mauresmo is the main danger to going a long way here. 50

8. Chakvetadze - tough little grafter but I don't expect her to retire with any Grand Slam trophies in the pool room. 100

9. Hingis - not seen for weeks due to injury, can't hope to compete here without match fitness. 200

10. Hantuchova - not in the big events, and especially not with Serena and Henin in her section. 500

OTHER CHANCES

Are there any?? For some non-seeds who might win a few rounds, take a look at Szavay, King, Radwanska, Paszek and Dechy.

THE BETS

Something tells me the Williams sisters will be right up for this. They can't meet until the final - they've done that twice before. Henin has chinks in her armour on grass and is 0-5 vs Serena when not meeting on clay. Venus got under most people's guard here a couple of years back and the bookies have learnt their lesson.

LAY Henin at less than 4. If that's too high for you to lay, wait unti she plays Serena and oppose her then.

BACK Serena at 4 and above. She should be favourite and her form this year has been devastating.

BACK Venus as a saver at 14 and above.

© 2007 Punting Ace.com