Will Williams Win Women’s Wimbledon?

Will Williams Win Women’s Wimbledon?

By Jack Ratcliffe Jun 21, 2013

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Serena Williams has hit incredible form at just the right time for Wimbledon, but can the powerful American do it? And with an array of Grand Slam winning competitors, could someone else cause a racket on the grass of SW19?

Will Serena Williams win Wimbledon?

Last year’s champion is on a run of 74 wins to just three defats since this time last year – can anyone stop her? Her excellence on the court is noted in her short odds (?), influenced by her demolition of both Sara Errani (6-0, 6-1) and Maria Sharapova (6-4, 6-4) on route to her French Open title.

This year, barring the Australian Open and a withdrawal, Williams has won each of the seven competitions she’s entered this year. And entering Wimbledon, she’s dropped just three sets in 25 matches.

Combine this indomitable with Serena’s tradition for success, and grass the perfect match for her powerful service game, it’s hard to see anyone toppling the American.

Of course, like anyone, there are potential factors that stop Serena from being completely unstoppable. After all, this is the same Williams sister than crashed out of the French Open last year in the first-round, and one who has spent much of the last three years on the sidelines (admittedly through injuries atypical of a tennis player).

This year’s Australian Open saw Sloane Stephens – ranked World No. 25 – subdue Serena 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, Azarenka seized the initiative in Qatar (7-6, 2-6, 6-3), while injury affected the American again in Dubai in the second round. It’s important when looking at Williams to remember both that blips in form happen, and injury can strike anyone.

But is this year’s WTA Wimbledon competition just a matter of Williams versus potential bad luck? She is 1.455* to win this year’s Wimbledon.

Will Maria Sharapova win Wimbledon?

Two of Williams’ major competitors are Maria Sharapova (8.500*) and Victoria Azarenka (8.500*), both of whom have experienced the wrath of Williams. Sharapova has reached five WTA finals this year, and lost three of them to the US ace. Her head-to-head record with Williams is also one she’d like to ignore – she’s won just twice in 16 meetings, and both of them were back in 2004.

It’s not all bad for the Russian, however, as she took a set from Williams in the Miami final (4-6, 6-3, 6-0) – an achievement not many have mimicked in recent weeks.

If the Russian’s serve is on, the grass will enhance its effectiveness and increase Sharapova’s ace count up its current total of 165. If it’s not, however, she could easily add to her shocking double fault tally of 193.

Will Victoria Azarenka win Wimbledon?

Azarenka has performed more favourably against Williams than Sharapova, including picking up a 16th tour title over a defeated Williams in Qatar. Buoyed by a victory at the Australian Open and winning a Qatar title over Williams, had an ankle injury not prevented the Belarusian from playing in April, the American may have been celebrating a few fewer trophies this season.

As it is, she returned in May to a final in Rome (lost to Williams 6-1, 6-3) and a French Open semi-final (lost to Sharapova 6-, 2-6, 6-4). Unfortunately for Azarenka, as she isn’t one of the bigger servers on the tour, the grass may play against her when she competes with fast-serving rivals. That said, she has made two semi-final appearances in the last two years.

Who else could win WTA Wimbledon?

Both World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska (51.000*) and No. 5 Sara Errani (285.960*) have the potential to triumph at the All England club, particularly as Radwanska got to the final last year. She took Williams to three sets that time, but the total score showed the gulf in class: 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. The Polish ace also has the bad luck of being on the same side of the draw as Williams, meaning she could face her in the semi-finals, rather than at the climax.

Williams is the biggest factor hindering any of these players’ chances. Radwanska is 0-5 (two on grass) against the American, while Errani is 0-6, although the two are yet to meet on grass.

*Odds subject to change

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