WIMBLEDON 2019 PREVIEW: WOMEN’S DRAW
We preview tennis’ biggest and most iconic event. The only Grand Slam on grass, Wimbledon 2019 begins on Monday.
As usual, the event is happening at the All England Lawn Tennis Club between 1st July and 14th July.
There are 128 men and 128 women players competiting, with only 64 of them being seeded. The winners will net £2,350,000, while the runner up pockets £1,175,000.
We take a look at the favourites and who you can put your money on.
The newly crowned world number one Barty is on a high and is the bookies’ favourites. The 23-year-old has been the player of the season thus far. She has 36 wins, the last 12 of them consecutively. The Aussie has the best record of any player in 2019.
As proof of her incredible form, Barty has three titles already this year which including the French Open.
She was due to play in Eastbourne this week but withdrew due to an arm injury. Despite this setback, Barty can go all the way in what will be her first major as world No. 1.
BET: Ashleigh Barty to win Wimbledon
World No.1 @ashbar96 will play Saisai Zheng in the first round at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/AiXXmUxAFF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2019
Osaka won the Australian Open this year and then became world number one. However her year has flatlined somewhat. In fairness to her, she has suffered from injury and split with her coach.
Her grass campaign didn’t start too well after losing to Yulia Putintseva in Birmingham last week. Osaka’s best performance SW19 performance was the third round in 2018. She lost to the eventual champion Angelique Kerber.
Osaka is expected is the second seed at Wimbledon. The event could be the competition that re-energises her season.
BET: Naomi Osaka to win Wimbledon
PROJECTED LADIES’ SINGLES QUARTER-FINALS ACCORDING TO SEEDING Ash Barty vs Angelique Kerber Kiki Bertens vs Petra Kvitova Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova Simona Halep vs Naomi Osaka#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2019
Wimbledon 2019 will be another chapter in Serena Williams quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. Unfortunately, she is battling with a knee injury which could hamper the 37-year-old. The injury has limited her playing time since the Australian Open.
Williams has been locked on 23 Grand Slam title for over two years. Her form has not been encouraging nor does it suggest she will make history in two weeks time. However, she is Serena Williams, the most dominant women that’s ever played the sport – so don’t rule her out completely.
BET: Serena Williams to win Wimbledon
‘Group of Death’ sets Serena Williams and defending champ Angelique Kerber on early collision course @Wimbledon.
How did your favorites fare?
Draw Analysis: https://t.co/yYPiH8kafD#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/yz5uBLQAEE
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 28, 2019
For many Pliskova has not reached her obvious potential. After breaking out in 2016, she’s struggled to make a major stick ever since the 2016 US Open.
It’s not all doom and gloom, she was to reach world number one in 2017 and has reached the semi-finals of the French Open and Australian Open.
She did make a final in Miami this year but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty. The Czech is at Eastbourne preparing for Wimbledon. She could be worth a punt.
BET: Karolina Pliskova to win Wimbledon
Kiki Bertens – Fourth seed in 2019, had her best finish in at Wimbledon last year (quarter-finals).
Angelique Kerber – Fifth seed in 2019, the defending champions is a dark horse after a tough year. She knows the SW19 circuit so could be worth a punt.
Petra Kvitova – Sixth seed in 2019, Kvitova is still racing the clock to heal her left forearm injury.
Simona Halep – Seventh seed in 2019, Best Wimbledon was a semi-final in 2014. One of the most consistent players in the women’s game.
Johanna Konta – 19th seed in 2019, The British No 1 will enter Wimbledon having played only five grass-court matches after early exits at Eastbourne and Birmingham.
Garbine Muguruza – the 26th seed in 2019, in poor form, but has the potential to spring a surprise. She is a former Wimbledon champion.
Top Quarter of the women’s draw:
– Barty: number 1 and RG champ
– Muguruza: 2017 Wimbledon champ
– Serena: it’s Serena Williams
– Sharapova: 5x grand slam champ
– Kerber: 3x grand slam champ and defending champ
– Bencic/Vekic/Riske/Goerges: grass court specialistsWow.
— ? (@adampolacco_) June 28, 2019