Ana Ivanovic is the clear favourite in the
winner's market but there is no guarantee she will
stay there for long with the likes of Williams
sisters very much in contention once the market
takes a good look at the draw.In the
first quarter, the only challengers to Ivanovic will
be Cibulkova and Szavay. They are the only two
players with any sort of decent form to challenge
the Serbian. Having said that, a player lurks
amongst them that is full of potential and seems to
hit top gear at Wimbledon. Tamira Paszek made her
mark last year beating Patty Schnyder in a tough 3
setter but so far this season has not done anything
significant. The young Austrian will be looking to
defend her points and has the game do damage on
grass.
Svetlana Kuznetsova was humbled by Caroline
Woznicaki at Ordina this week in two easy sets. The
Russian might be suffering from exhaustion or mental
tiredness after Roland Garros and it is not easy to
make the transition from clay to grass. Last year's
finalist Marion Bartoli is a name to be mentioned
but her game is now known to most players and faults
can be picked up easily in her playing action.
Kirilenko and Mauresmo can be anything but Serena
Williams awaits them in a the second or third round
and it is hard to see them overcoming the Australian
Open winner. Alize Cornet and Agneszkia Radwanska
are players to watch but Radwanska is known to be a
dangerous player and has a mental laspes but Cornet
is coming into this tournament in fine fettle and
can spring a surprise or two.
Lindsay Davenport is back and it is very good to
see her at Wimbledon and she deserves respect. This
section of the draw is packed with a few players
that can make a good run if they hit form at the
right time. Safina is now a known threat after ther
display at Roland Garros. Shahar Peer always gives
her best at slams but needs that push to make a
breakthrough. Sybille Bammer and Sofia Arvidsson
have got game and who knows, they could string a few
good games together and get the confidence to play
through anyone. Maria Sharapova is the favourite
here and she will want to prove a point as she has
no been that convincing this season and being absent
from any grass court event after the French open
might be a bit of a worry.
Jelena Jankovic, if she is to win, has to
overcome the Queen of wimbledon, Venus Williams. The
older Williams sister was an outsider to win the
title last year and likewise this year but it is
hard to see her showing such grit again. Venus's
game is just not cutting it in the run up and her
easy loss at Roland Garros wont do her confidence
any good. In ths last quarter, it might pay to
follow Michaela Krajicek who loves grass and played
one of the best matches at Wimbledon last year
against Chakvetadze.
In summary, the other alternatives to the main
marker leaders are; Lindsay Davenport @ 80, Alize
Cornet @ 500, Tamira Paszek @ 1000, Agneszkia
Radwanska @ 48 and Serena Willams @ 5.8
