Maria Sharapova’s Great Draw
A Preview of the Wimbledon Women’s Singles Bottom-Half of the Draw
Maria Sharapova is seeded No.2, but her chances of advancing through the bottom-half of the women’s singles draw to the finals of Wimbledon are slim, though not quite none. Sharapova always has a slugger’s chance and gritty fighter’s hope to get through difficult matches, but there are hurdles too high for her to climb this year.
Sharapova Should Reach Fourth Round
With another favorable draw (she had a good one at the French as well), she has the opportunity to play herself into the tournament as she did at Roland Garros. Her serve has improved since her return from injury and she performed well in her grass-court tune-up, losing to the champion, No.3 seed Jelena Jankovic in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 5-7). Sharapova should have little trouble reaching the fourth round and a potential face-off with No.23 seed Venus Williams or No.13 seed Dinara Safina.
Venus Williams a Threat
Safina has played well of late, losing to No.7 seed Serena Williams in the fourth round at the French, and to Jankovic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, on 's-Hertogenbosch’s grass. Venus hasn’t played since her third-round loss to Jankovic at Roland Garros, and hasn’t had great results this year. But as a three-time former champion and five-time finalist at Wimbledon, it would be folly to count her out. This may be Venus’ last hurrah, so look for her to pull off the upset and make it to the fourth round and an epic battle with Sharapova. The player who can get her first-serve working in this one will advance to the quarters.
Kuznetsova Not Likely to Hold Seed
Although she has played great all year and seems to have the serve-volley game for grass, No.5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who one would expect to meet the winner of Sharapova-Williams in the quarters, has not done much at Wimbledon in the past. She reached the quarters in 2004 and 2005, but lost to Na Chn Li in the third round in 2006. Her section of the draw doesn’t appear too difficult with Tatiana Golovin (seeded No.17) and No.12 seed Elena Dementieva the only obvious challenges. Kuznetsova has had tough battles with both, and has lifetime records of 1-1 with Golovin and 4-3 with Dementieva. WIthout a grass-court tune-up, it should be not surprise to see Kuznetsova make an early exit despite her potential.
Paszek a Sleeper
A sleeper in this section of the draw is unseeded Tamira Paszek who lost a tough three-setter (3-6, 6-4, 2-6) to Sharapova in the third round at Birmingham last week. She should face Golovin in an entertaining second-round match-up.
Mauresmo Poised For Semis Run
The upper section of the bottom-half of the women’s draw appears to be Amelie Mauresmo’s (No.4 Seed) for the taking. But that seemed to be the case at the French as well and she faltered in the third round there. After a strong finals appearance against No.1 seed Justine Henin at Eastbourne (5-7, 7-6, 6-7), she may be ready to atone for her French Open sins.
Sixth-seed Ana Ivanovic and No.14 seed Nicole Vaidisova are Mauresmo’s biggest obstacles to semis. If all holds form, she would meet Vaidisova in the fourth round and Ivanovic in the quarters. Mauresmo is 2-2 against Vaidisova, and lost the last two in three sets in 2006, so it may be a struggle for Mauresmo to get past Vaidisova at Wimbledon. Mauresmo is 5-2 versus Ivanovic, and she won the last meeting in straight sets in the fourth round at Wimbledon 2006.
Ivanovic Not Quite Ready for Finals
Ivanovic had been on a good run, making the final of the French after beating Kuznetsova in the final of Berlin, but she made a second-match exit against No.10 seed Daniela Hantuchova at 's-Hertogenbosch last week. Ivanovic’s draw favors her to reach the quarters, but grass doesn't appear to be her favorite surface. If she gets to the quarters, she should have a good fight with either Mauresmo or Vadisova, but isn't likely to reach the semis.
Henin or Williams Should Take Title
This is perhaps the hardest half of all the draws to predict, but regardless of who comes through to the final (Mauresmo being the favorite to do so), Justine Henin or Serena Williams will be waiting impatiently to be crowned “Queen of Wimbledon 2007.”
