2016 WTA WIMBLEDON PREVIEW

This Week In Tennis 
Vol. 25a

The year's third Grand Slam is upon us, ​and with it, a fourth chance for Serena Williams to tie Steffi Graf for second on the all-time list with 22 Grand Slam titles. In the three preceding Grand Slams, Williams has lost in the semifinals at the U.S. Open (Vinci), finals at the Australian Open (Kerber), and again in the finals at the French Open (Muguruza). Williams' quest for history will again be the major story of Grand Slam tennis over the next fortnight at Wimbledon.

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WTA SINGLES DRAW

​(1) Serena Williams

Best Result: W - 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015

Williams let the world know that she was "really pissed" after losing the French Open final last month to Garbine Muguruza. She gets her chance to make amends over the next two weeks at Wimbledon, and another chance to win her 22nd Grand Slam singles title. Her potential path to the title: qualifier, McHale, Mladenovic, Stephens, Bacsinszky, Radwanska, Muguruza. 

(2) Garbine Muguruza

Best Result: F - 2015

Muguruza enters Wimbledon fresh off her first Slam title at Roland Garros. Last year's finalist draws Camila Giorgi in the first round; the Italian holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead over the Spaniard. Should Muguruza get through her opening match, a quarterfinal against Venus Williams and a semifinal against either Halep or Kerber lurk as the major obstacles blocking a return to the final. 


(3) Agnieszka Radwanska

Best Result: F - 2012

Of the top eight seeds, Radwanska is one of four who has made the final at Wimbledon. The Polish #3 has made at least the semifinals in three of her last four appearances at the All England Club. Drawn in the same half as Serena Williams, Radwanska will likely have to go through Kvitova or Bencic as the top seeds in her quarter to get to the top seed. 


(4) Angelique Kerber

Best Result: QF - 2014

The reigning Australian Open champion also carries a grass court pedigree with her into the 2016 Wimbledon event. She has twice made the final in Eastbourne and won the Birmingham Classic in 2015. The fact that she has yet to advance past the quarterfinals at the All England Club doesn't represent the totality of her grass court prowess. If healthy, she stands as good a chance as any to make a deep run. 

​(5) Simona Halep

Best Result: SF - 2014

Halep is at a point in her career where she has to be considered a contender for any tournament she enters. Her semifinal run in 2014 shows she is able to perform as well on grass as she does on clay and hard courts. In fact, she's made at least the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams. However, she has Madison Keys, Angelique Kerber, and Karolina Pliskova roaming in her quarter of the draw, with Kiki Bertens a possible third round opponent. 

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(6) Roberta Vinci

Best Result: 4R - 2012, 2013

Vinci has won a mere six matches since Doha at the end of February. She also has the misfortune of drawing Alison Riske in the first round, with the American fresh off a finals appearance in Nottingham. These facts, coupled with her lack of success at past Wimbledons, point to an early exit for the #6 seed. 


(7) Belinda Bencic

​Best Result: 4R - 2015

Bencic enters Wimbledon having played only four tournaments since Miami and winning only three matches. Her lack of match play and results over the last three months do not inspire confidence in a deep run. Complicating matters for the Swiss player, she draws noted Grass antagonist Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round. 

(8) Venus Williams

Best Result: W - 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008

The elder Williams received a stroke of good fortune when Victoria Azarenka withdrew from the event, bumping her up one spot to the #8 seed. Drawn in Muguruza's quarter, Williams might have to beat Vekic, Saisai, Kasatkina, and Jankovic in that order before facing off against the French Open winner. Two years ago, Williams lost a third round battle royal against Kvitova, and fell short against Serena Williams in last year's round of 16. A bit of luck might take her a long way this time around. 


​FIVE TO WATCH
​

• ​CoCo Vandeweghe - defending quarterfinalist from one year ago and 2016 titlist in s-Hertogenbosch.
• Madison Keys - 2016 titlist in Birmingham, freshly minted top 10 player, and a game perfectly suited to grass courts. 
• Kristina Mladenovic - Coming off a finals appearance in s-Hertogenbosch and projected to play Serena Williams in the third round, a rematch of their battle at the French Open at the same stage.
• ​Caroline Garcia - fresh off winning the inaugural grass court event in Mallorca.
• Karolina Pliskova - one of the more accomplished grass court players of the last two seasons (2015 Birmingham final, 2016 Nottingham champion, & 2016 Eastbourne finalist).
  

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​FIRST ROUND INTRIGUE

(2) Muguruza vs Giorgi
(6) Vinci vs Riske
(7) Bencic vs Pironkova
(13) Kuznetsova vs Wozniacki
(16) Konta vs Puig


TOURNAMENT NOTES
​

• ​There are only four former champions in the draw: S. Williams, V. Williams, Kvitova, and Hingis (entered in doubles).
• Serena Williams is attempting to win her 22nd Grand Slam singles title and tie Steffi Graf for 2nd all-time. Wimbledon marks the fourth attempt by Williams to achieve this feat. 
• The last time the top eight seeds made the quarterfinals was 1979. 
• Five women have won the last 16 Wimbledon events: S. Williams (6), V. Williams (5), Kvitova (2), Sharapova, Mauresmo, and Bartoli. 

​​2015 Champions: 

Singles: Serena Williams
Doubles: Hingis/Mirza
Mixed Doubles: Hingis/Paes
​
Withdrawals: Victoria Azarenka

Early practice at @Wimbledon today. Entrenando temprano en Wimbledon hoy! pic.twitter.com/nfLXmEAuVj

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) June 22, 2016

Giornata di relax con la Nonna dal nostro grande amico Renzo...facci belle per favore #capellinuovi □□□ pic.twitter.com/8mgz1lve3b

— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) June 21, 2016

➡️ London pic.twitter.com/ksCH13N97O

— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) June 20, 2016

First day on the grass...!!!#wimbledon https://t.co/kkWfa2Rk6d

— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) June 22, 2016

Great first hit at @Wimbledon The only problem is I had to pay a debt to @licjulianromero @mancuello @Independiente https://t.co/oQk9eN6UOA

— CoCo Vandeweghe (@CoCoVandey) June 22, 2016

All white, please! :) pic.twitter.com/LdghAIzK1l

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) June 22, 2016

Heatwave Monday. Thanks Connor for the practice today pic.twitter.com/yaCqDhmQbs

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 21, 2016

Hard to beat this place...Hello beautiful @Wimbledon □❤️□ pic.twitter.com/DI7PanWbRN

— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) June 22, 2016