So, we are here again for another Wimbledon. This time it won't be neither myself nor Nora guest blogging alone. We, both, will break down the third slam's draw together by answering characteristic questions and predicting our finalist pair. We will try our best for it to be a fun read to you and to be just when it comes to our analysis :)
Please leave us your comments by the end of the article.
1) Favorites for the title
Nora: I think it is obvious for everyone into women's tennis that the 2017 Wimbledon tournament is believed to be one of the most unpredictable and (for that very reason) interesting one, as for the last decade. That is partly because of both Serena's and Masha's absence from the draw (due to pregnancy for the first and injury for the second one). Thus, Kerber, Halep, and Pliskova (all of them deeply involved in a tough fight for world number one) are thought to fight for the trophy till the very end, given their more than remarkable motivation (they all have pretty nice chances to become or remain the best on the globe under specific circumstances). As far as this is concerned, Pliskova's draw is at least workable, taking on unseeded Rodina at the 1st round and potentially setting an encounter with non-grass specialist Wozniacki at the quarterfinals, whereas Halep's road to the title is significantly tougher. More specifically, she is placed in the same half with Konta, Svitolina, Cibulkova, three top-14 seeds, as well as Azarenka, Bouchard, and Barty. Even after ruling out Svitolina's threat (due to foot injury), ignoring the so far struggling Slovak and the relatively rusty Belarussian, none can defy, neither Ashleigh Barty, who made unexpectedly good grass performances, nor wonder kid and glorious French Open champion Ostapenko, whose playing style can win her any match as long as she is on her good day. Also, if Konta is ok with her injured spine, which kept her out of Eastbourne, she is admittedly quite a threat for the Romanian. As for world number one beholder, Angie defends 2016's final, starts with qualifier Falconi and logically plays experienced Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals. Finally, Kvitova is the only one not named Williams in the draw to have conquered the slam before (twice, to be precise) and what is more she won Aegon Classic and withdrew from Eastbourne, so she arrives in the UK comparatively refreshed, which makes her one extra favorite. Muguruza may also fight hard for the title, as she was a runner-up in 2015 and as a consequence, she is pretty experienced.
Pan: The WTA Tour is coming to the Championships this year in its most open situation in ages. The biggest stars of the sport, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova are absent, while Victoria Azarenka is still rusty and world number one Angelique Kerber is struggling with her form. Moreover, a few weeks ago, Jelena Ostapenko shocked the world by lifting the Suzanne Lenglen trophy proving that literally, anything can happen. Anyway, there is a big favorite for the title, and she goes by the name Karolina Pliskova. The big-serving Czech has everything in her game to succeed on grass and has been on fire lately as she won the Premier lead-up event in Eastbourne yesterday, let alone her contention to the number one ranking. However, she lacks in experience having never made the second week in the British slam and having failed at making it in any slam before last year's US Open, where she was the finalist. We can't ignore Petra Kvitova as well. The twice Wimbledon champion came back in the French Open after her life threatening experience in December and she won the second Premier lead-up tournament after Eastbourne, in Birmingham. If she is fit and shows her best tennis, she has the experience and the game that can lead her to her third Wimbledon title. Another name that may be a threat to the Venus Rosewater dish is a very well known person around the All-England Club and she is no other than 5-time champion Venus Williams. The American multiple slam champion is living a rebirth of her career the past years, especially after making the finals in the Australian Open, and if the draw opens up for her she proved that she can exploit it.
2) Potential upsets
Nora: Although things once again aren't clear, a potential first round exit by Radwanska would not be a massive shock, because she faces the once great Jankovic, who is admittedly close to the end of her career right now, though. However, Polish's form is not rather convincing from the early tennis season till today, so nobody can be totally sure whether she will overcome Serbian's obstacle or not. Nevertheless, a more striking example of a projected early upset is that of Svitolina's potential defeat to Barty, taking into account both the Ukranian's injury issues and the Aussie's admirable job during the pre-Wimbledon season. Finally, a less possible scenario is that of Jo Konta losing to Hsieh, given that the latter had defeated her in Roland Garros some weeks earlier and also that the Brit recently injured her spine during a match against Kerber.
Pan: In every Grand Slam tournament in the WTA side upsets are a common sight. Some are usually predictable, due to the depth of the rankings, and some come out of the blue. There is one particular match in which the upset alert alarm is stand by ready to ring and that is Svitolina-Barty. The Australian ex-cricket player made the finals in Birmingham and took a set off Petra Kvitova after beating Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals, meanwhile, Svitolina lost to Camila Giorgi in her only grass court match so far this year and she has had injury concerns. Another seed that could be seen out pretty early is Aga Radwanska. The Pole has had a depressive season and she has been struggling with her health, as a viral illness led to her pulling out from the Ricoh Open and Birmingham before she dropped out early to lucky loser Lauren Davis in Eastbourne. She faces equally out of form Jelena Jankovic in the first round in a match of slugging greats that anything can happen. I would ring the bell for Caroline Wozniacki as well, because despite being in form (she reached the final in Eastbourne) she faces the draw scare with former semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova looming in the second round and rising grass court titlist Annet Kontaveit in the third.
3) Dark horse
Nora: Probably a couple of youngsters, such as the aforementioned 21-year-old Barty, who was the Aegon Classic finalist or Russia's Potapova, who is thought to be a rising star, was a Wimbledon champion at juniors and this year she makes her debut as a senior. Also, you'd better expect something satisfying from the 22-year-old Madison Keys, who is walking her way back after a wrist surgery but her playing profile has many necessary for success on grass elements. Finally, there is talented CiCi Bellis too, who takes on Vika in round one and may take advantage of the latter's expected rust.
Pan: The draw is really open so don't be surprised by anyone making it far. I see some ladies doing unexpectedly good, but as predictions, they are just shots in the dark. Lucie Safarova, a former semifinalist, is someone who could go far if she is healthy and able to pull herself together. The Czech has been struggling to find her feet since being affected by a viral illness two years ago, but she won a couple of matches on grass this time, long ones as well, so she has played a lot on the surface. She finds herself in an open quarter too with Kerber's, Radwanska's and Muguruza's form being subpar and Kuznetsova not being helped by the lawn. Also, one of Barty and Keys may capitalize on that relatively open Svitolina/Ostapenko/Cibulkova quarter, as Barty is red hot on grass and Keys has loads of history behind her being a former quarterfinalist of the event. Keep an eye on Annet Kontaveit as well, as she impressively won the Ricoh Open.
4) Winner and runner-up
Nora: Simona Halep d. Karolina Pliskova in three sets
Pan: Petra Kvitova d. Karolina Pliskova in straight sets
We hope you liked our analysis. Let us know by leaving you comments :)
Please leave us your comments by the end of the article.
WIMBLEDON 2017 LADIES' SINGLES PREVIEW
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| Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber left London with trophies last year. (Getty) |
1) Favorites for the title
Nora: I think it is obvious for everyone into women's tennis that the 2017 Wimbledon tournament is believed to be one of the most unpredictable and (for that very reason) interesting one, as for the last decade. That is partly because of both Serena's and Masha's absence from the draw (due to pregnancy for the first and injury for the second one). Thus, Kerber, Halep, and Pliskova (all of them deeply involved in a tough fight for world number one) are thought to fight for the trophy till the very end, given their more than remarkable motivation (they all have pretty nice chances to become or remain the best on the globe under specific circumstances). As far as this is concerned, Pliskova's draw is at least workable, taking on unseeded Rodina at the 1st round and potentially setting an encounter with non-grass specialist Wozniacki at the quarterfinals, whereas Halep's road to the title is significantly tougher. More specifically, she is placed in the same half with Konta, Svitolina, Cibulkova, three top-14 seeds, as well as Azarenka, Bouchard, and Barty. Even after ruling out Svitolina's threat (due to foot injury), ignoring the so far struggling Slovak and the relatively rusty Belarussian, none can defy, neither Ashleigh Barty, who made unexpectedly good grass performances, nor wonder kid and glorious French Open champion Ostapenko, whose playing style can win her any match as long as she is on her good day. Also, if Konta is ok with her injured spine, which kept her out of Eastbourne, she is admittedly quite a threat for the Romanian. As for world number one beholder, Angie defends 2016's final, starts with qualifier Falconi and logically plays experienced Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals. Finally, Kvitova is the only one not named Williams in the draw to have conquered the slam before (twice, to be precise) and what is more she won Aegon Classic and withdrew from Eastbourne, so she arrives in the UK comparatively refreshed, which makes her one extra favorite. Muguruza may also fight hard for the title, as she was a runner-up in 2015 and as a consequence, she is pretty experienced.
 |
| Pliskova with the trophy from Aegon International. (Getty) |
Pan: The WTA Tour is coming to the Championships this year in its most open situation in ages. The biggest stars of the sport, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova are absent, while Victoria Azarenka is still rusty and world number one Angelique Kerber is struggling with her form. Moreover, a few weeks ago, Jelena Ostapenko shocked the world by lifting the Suzanne Lenglen trophy proving that literally, anything can happen. Anyway, there is a big favorite for the title, and she goes by the name Karolina Pliskova. The big-serving Czech has everything in her game to succeed on grass and has been on fire lately as she won the Premier lead-up event in Eastbourne yesterday, let alone her contention to the number one ranking. However, she lacks in experience having never made the second week in the British slam and having failed at making it in any slam before last year's US Open, where she was the finalist. We can't ignore Petra Kvitova as well. The twice Wimbledon champion came back in the French Open after her life threatening experience in December and she won the second Premier lead-up tournament after Eastbourne, in Birmingham. If she is fit and shows her best tennis, she has the experience and the game that can lead her to her third Wimbledon title. Another name that may be a threat to the Venus Rosewater dish is a very well known person around the All-England Club and she is no other than 5-time champion Venus Williams. The American multiple slam champion is living a rebirth of her career the past years, especially after making the finals in the Australian Open, and if the draw opens up for her she proved that she can exploit it.
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| Kvitova with the trophy from 2014 Wimbledon. (Getty) |
2) Potential upsets
Nora: Although things once again aren't clear, a potential first round exit by Radwanska would not be a massive shock, because she faces the once great Jankovic, who is admittedly close to the end of her career right now, though. However, Polish's form is not rather convincing from the early tennis season till today, so nobody can be totally sure whether she will overcome Serbian's obstacle or not. Nevertheless, a more striking example of a projected early upset is that of Svitolina's potential defeat to Barty, taking into account both the Ukranian's injury issues and the Aussie's admirable job during the pre-Wimbledon season. Finally, a less possible scenario is that of Jo Konta losing to Hsieh, given that the latter had defeated her in Roland Garros some weeks earlier and also that the Brit recently injured her spine during a match against Kerber.
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| No 4 seed Elina Svitolina has injury concerns entering the tournament. (Getty) |
Pan: In every Grand Slam tournament in the WTA side upsets are a common sight. Some are usually predictable, due to the depth of the rankings, and some come out of the blue. There is one particular match in which the upset alert alarm is stand by ready to ring and that is Svitolina-Barty. The Australian ex-cricket player made the finals in Birmingham and took a set off Petra Kvitova after beating Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals, meanwhile, Svitolina lost to Camila Giorgi in her only grass court match so far this year and she has had injury concerns. Another seed that could be seen out pretty early is Aga Radwanska. The Pole has had a depressive season and she has been struggling with her health, as a viral illness led to her pulling out from the Ricoh Open and Birmingham before she dropped out early to lucky loser Lauren Davis in Eastbourne. She faces equally out of form Jelena Jankovic in the first round in a match of slugging greats that anything can happen. I would ring the bell for Caroline Wozniacki as well, because despite being in form (she reached the final in Eastbourne) she faces the draw scare with former semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova looming in the second round and rising grass court titlist Annet Kontaveit in the third.
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| The 2012 Runner-Up, Agnieszka Radwanska, has been struggling all year with her form. (Getty) |
3) Dark horse
Nora: Probably a couple of youngsters, such as the aforementioned 21-year-old Barty, who was the Aegon Classic finalist or Russia's Potapova, who is thought to be a rising star, was a Wimbledon champion at juniors and this year she makes her debut as a senior. Also, you'd better expect something satisfying from the 22-year-old Madison Keys, who is walking her way back after a wrist surgery but her playing profile has many necessary for success on grass elements. Finally, there is talented CiCi Bellis too, who takes on Vika in round one and may take advantage of the latter's expected rust.
 |
| Ashleigh Barty left her mark on grass this year by reaching the final of Birmingham. (Getty) |
Pan: The draw is really open so don't be surprised by anyone making it far. I see some ladies doing unexpectedly good, but as predictions, they are just shots in the dark. Lucie Safarova, a former semifinalist, is someone who could go far if she is healthy and able to pull herself together. The Czech has been struggling to find her feet since being affected by a viral illness two years ago, but she won a couple of matches on grass this time, long ones as well, so she has played a lot on the surface. She finds herself in an open quarter too with Kerber's, Radwanska's and Muguruza's form being subpar and Kuznetsova not being helped by the lawn. Also, one of Barty and Keys may capitalize on that relatively open Svitolina/Ostapenko/Cibulkova quarter, as Barty is red hot on grass and Keys has loads of history behind her being a former quarterfinalist of the event. Keep an eye on Annet Kontaveit as well, as she impressively won the Ricoh Open.
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| Safarova is no stranger to the lawns of SW19, having made the semifinals in 2014. (Getty) |
4) Winner and runner-up
Nora: Simona Halep d. Karolina Pliskova in three sets
Pan: Petra Kvitova d. Karolina Pliskova in straight sets
We hope you liked our analysis. Let us know by leaving you comments :)
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