Wimbledon - Countdown: Women to watch - 網球 Tennis

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Wimbledon - Countdown: Women to watch

Eurosport - Wed, 18 Jun 23:59:00 2008

With the most open Wimbledon draw in years, Eurosport Yahoo! looks at the
runners and riders heading into the All England Club.

The favourite: Ana Ivanovic

The newly crowned French Open champion and world number one is quickly
filling the power vacuum left by Justine Henin's sudden retirement. Having
claimed her first Grand Slam title in Paris at the start of the month,
Ivanovic will look to improve on a semi-finals appearance at Wimbledon one
year ago. Serbia's 20-year-old superstar withdrew from Eastbourne with a
muscle injury, but that was likely just a precautionary measure as she is
certain to be ready in time for the All England Club.

The also ran: Jelena Jankovic

A disappointing 2007 singles campaign has caused the Serbian and world number
two to abandon her mixed doubles title defence with home favourite Jamie
Murray in the hopes of securing greater solo spoils. The decision should help
Jankovic improve on her fourth round showing at the All England Club. But
unlike her younger compatriot, and despite her world number two ranking, the
23-year-old has yet to truly crack into the big time, falling four times in
Grand Slam semi-finals in the past two years. Whether or not she's able to
make that final breakthrough in such an open and dangerous field is a matter
of debate.

The champion: Venus Williams

The six-time finalist and current holder came out of absolutely nowhere in
2005 and 2007 to storm to two of her four Wimbledon trophies. The American
will have to do the same again after going well under the radar in 2008. Her
disappointing French Open result was not surprising, and though she has yet
to win a title this year Venus is perfectly capable of usurping the form
sheet yet again.

Will she or wont she: Serena Williams

Still viewed as the more likely of the legendary sisters to find her form and
swoop to a third All England title, Serena will also come into this year's
tournaments with a host of questions. Is she fit, is she focused enough on
her tennis, will she actually perform to her brilliant abilities? The
American number one is still capable of greatness, as she proved at last
year's Australian Open and at the start of this year's campaign when she won
three consecutive titles. But will that potential shine through on the grassy
centre court at SW19?

The girl named Maria: Maria Sharapova

The Russian superstar started the 2008 season in equally spectacular fashion
as she ended her 2007 campaign - winning a third career Grand Slam title with
her first Australian Open triumph. But the world number three has once again
tapered off, crashing out of the French in the last 16 to eventual runner-up
Dinara Safina and losing her number one ranking to Ana Ivanovic just one
tournament after taking it from the retired Justine Henin. Still, the 2004
champion is a threat in any Grand Slam and a definite title contender.

The sleeper part two: Dinara Safina

The shock French Open finalist had a brilliant claycourt season, earning
astonishing come-from-behind upsets of Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva
at Roland Garros and beating Justine Henin in the Belgian's last-ever match
in Berlin. But Marat's hot-headed lil' sis has never been able to translate
her game to grass, with a third-round performance her best ever result at the
All England Club. The Russian will likely have to wait until Flushing Meadows
if she's to make another sleeper run through a Grand Slam draw.

Ms. Consistency: Svetlana Kuznetsova

The three-time quarter-finalist has never been spectacular on this surface,
but is solid enough to make a run at any Grand Slam. A devastating 6-3 6-2
loss to Russian compatriot Safina in the French semis won't likely affect the
tough-minded 22-year-old's morale ahead of Wimbledon.

Ms. Inconsistency: Elena Dementieva

If she can hold her nerve and serve, Dementieva could be a true contender at
every major. But her capitulation to Safina while leading by a set and 5-2 in
the second set, though exactly similar to Sharapova's loss against Safina, is
more indicative of mental weakness in Dementieva than it is in the three-time
Grand Slam champion. Where her head is at when she comes to SW19 will have a
major impact on her game and could have a big effect on the tournament.

The star in waiting: Agnieszka Radwanska

The Polish teenager is coming to age at just the right time, with several
notable retirements, including Justine Henin and Martina Hingis, opening the
door for a new generation of stars. Though her upset of then defending
champion Maria Sharapova at Flushing Meadows last year was a shock, nobody
should be surprised by Radwanska now. A big-hitter in the mould of Sharapova
and a former Junior champion at the All England Club, the world number 14
certainly has what it takes to one day become a Wimbledon star.

The fallen finalist: Marion Bartoli

Last year's runner-up overcame Jankovic and Henin on her way to a shock final
appearance last year. But the Frenchwoman has struggled horribly since, and
her recent second-round exit after receiving a bye at Birmingham does not
bode well for her chances in Southwest London.

The rest: Former champions Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo have
struggled to overcome injuries, but could have a part to play. Nicole
Vaidisova reached the quarter-finals last year, as did Michaella Krajicek but
neither has performed well this season. Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Vera
Zvonareva could take advantage of high seeds, as could Hungarian number one
Daniela Hantuchova, while French teenager Alize Cornet is very well suited
for grass.

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport

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