Wimbledon Women's Preview 2012

Looking ahead to the womens singles at Wimbledon this year, and for the first time since 2010 and Serena, the WTA looks a lot more settled and stabilised, with a successful and proven number one star in the shape of Maria Sharapova. That combined with the continued steady play of other front runners like Azarenka and Kvitova, and the top of the womens game looks as solid as it has been in the last four or five years.


Heading into SW19 this stability takes on an added meaning, with this particular event having been dominated by very few women, 2 women in particular going by the names of Venus and Serena. Between them, the sisters have been involved in 10 of the last 12 finals, winning 9 titles, 5 for Venus and 4 for little sister. The only other previous champions in this years field are last years winner Kvitova, and Sharapova who's 2004 win at 17 kickstarted her career, which has now come full circle back to number 1 in time for the event where it all started.
Looking past these 4 women, obviously Azarenka can't be counted out in what looks to be her career season to date, whilst grass court lovers Bartoli and Pironkova could be the dark horses for a place in the final.


Predictions based on grass court history are all well and good, but as we all know the draw can and has curtailed many dream finals (Sharapova, Serena anyone?) and meant that the unexpected does happen, even at one of the most consistently predictable events. Looking at it , and one quarter could be anyone's:

Top Half


First Quater- Unless Lisicki recaptures her form from the grass last year, Sharapova's road to the quarters looks relatively comfortable, and i expect her to defy the possible bannana skin R2 by beating Venus Williams slayer Tsvetana Pironkova in 2 comfortable sets. Past that, Kerber looks good to meet her as the seeded quartefinalist. I expect Clijsters to fight hard, but that it's too soon for her to beat Kerber on her worst surface. Floaters in this part of the draw are Mchale who's had some big wins this year, and Makarova who comes alive on grass beating Kvitova in Eastbourne last week, after winning that title back in 2010.

Winner- Maria Sharapova


Second Quarter- Every slam throws up that crazy quarter that nobody would like to call, but here's my shot at it. Venus Williams is the 5 time champ, but her fatigue inducing disease makes her too unpredictable to back, whilst Stosur as one of the top seeds in this section is about as home on grass as she would be in the Siberian Winter. The solid Radwanska is the highest seed but has flattered to deceive at the majors and not always reproduced her winning tournament tennis on the biggest stage. Li Na certainly has the game for grass, and might be freed from the shackled of being French open champion. Look for her to make a deep run this fortnight. Interesting match up's see A-Rad face Venus in R2 again, whilst Stosur/Navarro could make it a triple of first round losses for the unlucky Aussie.

Winner- Li Na


Bottom Half


Third Quarter- The Serena quarter looks good for the four time former champ until a possible Kvitova QF which everyone will hope materialises. After her R1 loss at Paris, the American must surely be motivated to lay down the gauntlet on the grass as she has so many times before, and i'd wager that until Kvitova nobody will stop her. Errani in the fourth round would be a struggle on clay, but Williams game will be far too big for the diminutive Italian on the grass, whilst Kvitova might struggle but should get by flat hitter Cibulkova at the same stage.

Winner- Serena Williams (but her 3 set match with Kvitova in the quarters will be match of the tournament)

Fourth Quarter- Many interesting names sit in the last quarter, with Woznaicki, Bartoli and Vika sitting above the likes of Kuznetsova and Ivanovic who could realistically do some damage on the lawns. Wozniacki doesn't have the firepower and aggression for grass, and i think she'll fall to Sveta in R3. Vinci could trick her way past Bartoli in the 3rd round, but if Marion escapes her then she'll do enough to get to the quarters. Facing her there, well probably Vika who has a clear run to the last 16 where it would take a consistent Ivanovic to knock her off, and we haven't seen that in forever. There, i get a feeling Bartoli makes it a match, but is beaten by Vika's superior movement and clutch play.

Winner- Victoria Azarenka

Semi Finals

Sharapova bts Na
Williams bts Azarenka

Dream Final: Williams bts Sharapova 6-3, 7-5

So my guess is that this familiar sight will greet us at the end of another Wimbledon campaign. Predictable? Perhaps, but i expect it to be one hell of a ride to get here!