On Monday, the WTA women will walk on the grass and attempt to bash the ball into the corners. Last year, Angie Kerber won the event in London, sliding and bending down, so quick and precise.
She is not No. 1 right now, but when she dances into Wimbledon, her eyes will open wide and she will have a chance to grab another Grand Slam.
However, there are a number of people who have a chance to snag it. Possibly 12. That includes Venus and Serena Williams, who have won it so many times at Wimbledon. Five for Venus, and seven for Serena. But they, are aging. Ten years ago, the Williams’s were a heavy favorites, but now in 2019, they are question marks.
Outside of Kerber, and the Williamses, three others have won the event: Maria Sharapova, Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova, twice. The Czech, Kvitova, has had a very good year, so she has to be one of the favorites. She is strong, she nails her first serve and she can smack her forehand and backhand crosscourt and down the line. She will be right there in the second week.
Sharapova just came back to play again last week, but over the last year, she been injured constantly, with her sore shoulder. Sharapova would be shocked if she wins it again, this year, but the former No. 1 could knock down a couple big names, like Kerber, if they meet in the third round. The would be a dramatic match.
Spaniard Muguruza won the tournament two years ago, she was so confident and she attacked quickly, especially returning the serve. But after that, she fell way down. If Muguruza reached the second week, then maybe she will remember how good she is. But right now, she does not focus well.
Here are some other players who can win Wimbledon, who hasn’t won it before: Ash Barty (the new No.1), Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens, Sloane Stephens, Jo Konta, Simona Halep, Belinda Bencic and Victoria Azarenka.
Amongst the Americans, Stephens could face Brit Jo Konta in the third round. That should be a blockbuster.
THE REST OF THE AMERICANS
No. 16 Madison Keys has not had a great year, but she rises up at the Slams, so she could go deep. … The very young Amanda Anisimova is ranked No. 26, and surely, she will crack the top 20 very soon. The 17-year-old is very talented. The 20- year-old Sofia Kenin is in the top 30, and she can be very steady and she really knows how to handle things out there. It is possible that she could face against Osaka, who has won two Slams — on the hardcourt. The Japanese, who lives in Florida, Osaka is a little bit frustrated over the past few months, so if Kenin can upset her, she is going to serve and return like a demon.
ENDS