WTA grass season preview-Henin for the career slam?
After previewing the grass season and Wimbledon for the ATP tour, I felt it was necessary to provide a similar preview for the WTA. Where there is a clear favorite for the men (Federer), there is a wide open field for the women. Wimbledon for the WTA is very similar to any other grandslam. Whereas big serving, crafty chip and charge, strategic slice, and volleying are still surviving tactics in the men’s game, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles style power baselining has taken over since the serve and volley days of Martina Navratilova. However, a few players, such as Justine Henin-Hardenne, still display an all-court style of play.
Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL)-World Ranking: 1
Henin enters this year’s Wimbledon as the slight favorite. She’s just off her third straight Roland Garros win, and the fourth of her career. She has six slam titles, needing only Wimbledon to complete a career slam. She hasn’t enjoyed as much success on grass as she has on other surfaces, possibly due to her height (5-6), making it easier for players like Williams and Sharapova to overpower her on the fast courts. Despite this, her results have been solid, with two semifinal and two final appearances at the All England Club. She uses an all-court style of play, with one of the best backhands in the game of tennis. She can serve and volley, and probably has the best variety of any WTA player.
Maria Sharapova (RUS)-World Ranking: 2
Sharapova has one of the most powerful baseline games on the WTP tour. Her power suits the fast style of grass well, as indicated by her two semifinal appearances and a title at Wimbledon. As I write this, she is in the 3rd round of the DFS Classic suggesting she is in form. If she can rise past her alleged coaching issues (critics claim Sharapova recieves coaching in the form of hand signals during her matches-she was fined during the 2007 Australian Open for this) expect for her to repeat her past success at Wimbledon.
The young Serbian has has been rising fast in the rankings during the past year, thanks to her US Open and Roland Garros semifinal appearances. She made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon last year and has the potential to go even further in 2007. As I write this she has made it to the third round of the DFS Classic.
Mauresmo enters the grass season looking to defend her 2006 Wimbledon title. She injured her groin in her third round match at the Roland Garros and expects to be fit in time to attempt back to back titles. She boasts a solid, all round game that has carried her to atleast the quarterfinals of every slam. Her greatest success has been on the lawns at the All Engand Club, appearing in three semifinals (2002, 2004, 2005), in addition to her title. Critics used to question her mental toughness before she broke through in 2006, winning two slams.
Kuznetsova has had inconsistent Wimbledon results with a first round exit, a third round exit, and two quarterfinal appearances in the last four years.
Ivanovic is somewhat of a question mark heading into the grass season. She hasn’t been on the tour for very long, yet has risen in the rankings very fast. She has third and fourth round appearances the last two years at Wimbledon. However, she is riding momentum from her 2007 Roland Garros final appearance, with a big win over Sharapova (6-2 6-1) in semifinals.
Serena Williams (US)-World Ranking: 7
S. Williams is a two time Wimbledon champion (2002-2003) with another finals appearance in 2004. S. Williams is probably the most powerful player on the WTP tour, able to outgun even Sharapova in this years Australian Open. However at times she can be extremely inconsistent and some question her commitment to training. However when she’s on and focused, she can beat anybody.
Venus Williams (US)-World Ranking: 31
The story on V. Williams is almost identical to her sister. She is extremely powerful and inconsistent. Although she hasn’t been in form lately, she could catch a hot streak (like she did at the All England Club in 2005) and add a fourth Wimbledon title to her collection.
These are the players who I feel are the most likely to have great success on grass this year. Covering the WTA tour is a little harder than the ATP tour because there is not as much difference in the competitors’ games. There aren’t low ranked players, who are consistently successful only on grass (like Max Mirnyi, Ivo Karlovic, and Mario Ancic for the men’s game). At the same time, I admit that I am less familiar with the players on the women’s tour, than the players on the men’s. If you have an opinion or anything to add I’d love to hear it.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Great stuff Tim! A couple of great posts here. Keep it up.
June 17th, 2007 at 2:12 am
BIG CONTENDERS
1. Justine Henin- I’m really torn on if I should pick her or not this year.. 1st rounds for her at Wimbledon can always be tricky for the clay court queen because of the tough transition. In 2005 she won the French and then headed to Wimbledon to get the 1st round boot from Daniilidou. But then again she didnt play Eastbourne or Birmingham like she did this year or last. Even though she was the finalist last year, almost taking the crown, it will be tough for her for the first 2 or 3 rounds. I’m really basing my choice on Henin by her result next week in Eastbourne.
2006 Result: (L)- Final 6-2 3-6 4-6 to Mauresmo
Best Result: Final (2001, 2006)
2. Maria Sharapova- I would say Wimbledon is Maria’s most solid tournament whether she wins it or not.. its obvious to pick Maria because she always suceeds in Grand Slams especially Wimbledon. Last year’s semifinalist will be a tough force this year, coming off her first French Open semifinal showing. Being the no. 2 seed I would expect Maria to make another run to the semis or better. The only people I would say that could take Maria out would be a Williams sister (right now, Serena) and Henin. Serena would def. be the player to take Sharapova out, as Maria is mentally scarred by 2 crushing losses. Her serve isnt looking all that great but I expect it to return this fortnight. Sharapova is way too strong on grass for everyone except these players. If she wins Birmingham this week I would make her a solid choice for your Wimbledon team.
2006 Result: (L) Semifinal 1-6 6-7 to V. Williams
Best Result: Champion (2004)
3. Jelena Jankovic- This is definitely the year where you consider Jankovic a contender in every tournament she enters. No matter what surface or opponent, she is never out. I expect her to play Sharapova in the Birmingham final so definitely look to see how she plays against the tall Russian. I would predict Jankovic to improve from last year and at least reach the quarters. She has a great serve and her groundies are flat which normally means success on grass.
2006 Result: (L) 4th Round 4-6 6-7 to Myskina
Best Result: 4th Round (2006)
4. Serena Williams- She has nothing to lose. She is a 2 time Wimbledon champion. What else is there to say. Serena obviously knows how to play on grass and you never count a Williams sister out in Wimbledon. The only players to come between a Williams sister and the Venus Rosewater dish is Sharapova and Mauresmo. Shes capable of sweeping Sharapova and Henin off their feet with her power and quick hands. I’m thinking at least a semifinal result, and Serena doesnt lose Wimbledon semis… so shes def. a pick for your Wimbledon team. And at a low price shes a steal!
2006 Result: Did Not Play
Best Result: Champion (2002, 2003)
5. Ana Ivanovic- Coming off her first Grand Slam final, Ivanovic is riding sky high on confidence. Her gameplay is a mix of Graf and Davenport with a big serve and flat shots. She can hit big from anywhere, defends well and has a pretty good looking volley. She is coming in seeded at least no. 7 which is a big improvement. Her draw will be a bit easier than shes ever had it. Shes definitely a Rd of 16- Semifinal player. The first week will get her game into shape and by the second week she is a very dangerous player.
2006 Result: (L) 4th Round 3-6 4-6 to eventual champion Mauresmo
Best Result: 4th Round (2006)
DANGEROUS PLAYERS
1. Nicole Vaidisova- The Czech teen has a BIG game. She has the capability to hit from every inch of the court. She uses the court well and her big strokes give her opponents no time to hit back. I would say Vaidisova needs to get up to net more and use her height to finish off her points. Her serve needs to be on and with the confidence shes gained from her latest results in the Grand Slams, she is poised to make at least a quarterfinal run.
2006 Result: (L) 4th Round 4-6 6-1 3-6 to Li
Best Result: 4th Round (2006)
2. Venus Williams-3 Time Wimbledon Champion. Venus has had a marginal 2007 season. With one title coming in Memphis with a win over Israeli teen Shahar Peer. Despite this, I dont even DARE to put Venus out of winning Wimbledon. Her seeding will be VERY low, so most likely she will draw a top 5 or 10 player in the early rounds. If she upsets a high seed, she should be able to work her way into the tournament. And IF she does upset a top seed, I would say the quarterfinals isnt out of the question.
2006 Result: (L) 3rd Round 7-6( 4-6 6-4 to Jankovic
Best Result: Champion (2000, 2001 and 2005)
3. Daniela Hantuchova- Her game is coming back to her now and she is playing great tennis. Her top 10 comeback should give her a more of a chance of getting through the latter rounds. Shes proven that she can definitely beat the top players with her 2 Indian Wells titles. The key to advancing far is keeping her head together and not overcomplicating her game. Hantuchova’s game is very powerful and forceful. She has great volleys, beautiful strokes, big serve and can move around pretty well. I dont understand why Hantuchova wouldnt do well this year at Wimbledon.
2006 Result: (L) 4th Round 6-3 6-1 to Henin
Best Result: Quarterfinals (2002)
4. Anna Chakvetadze- Anna is capable of big upsets and big results. With quarterfinal results in both Australia and Paris, I dont see why that wouldnt translate to Wimbledon. As long as she is healthy and plays her game she will go far. Although she is very dangerous I dont see her pulling off a big upset against a Serena, Sharapova or Henin caliber player.
2006 Result: (L) 3rd Round 2-6 3-6 to Henin
Best Result: 3rd Round (2006)
Players to Watch For
Mauresmo- Last year’s Wimbledon champion’s results this year have been very dismal. If she works her way into the tournament she has a great chance fo getting far. But at the moment I dont believe her game is up to par with the top players.
Hingis- When Hingis won Wimbledon it wasnt as a hard hitting game. Even though Hingis is a top 10 player, other players can blow Hingis off the court on grass. Her result this year is a bit iffy. Plus, she might still have the effects of her injury.
Li- She does great on grass, but she wont upset big players. Thats the problem.
A. Bondarenko- She is going to be seeded low but her game can be very dangerous. It going to be interesting to see her draw and how she does.
Santangelo- Great grass court player. Very flat strokes, good net game. She can def. pull a 3rd or 4th round result, but after that.. dont consider her a contender.
Players OUT of Wimbledon
Kuznetsova- She didnt do as well as people expected her to in the clay court season and even though shes a top 5 player, I believe she is very vulnerable this year.
Petrova- With a 1st round exit from Roland Garros, her confidence isnt there right now. No further than 3rd Round.
Dementieva- Even though shes trying to make a comeback and improve her ranking.. its not happening at Wimbledon. Sorry
Schnyder- The crafty Swiss will probably be one of the first upsets. Wait until the summer hardcourts Patty.